Statuette of Amun (to Aten) (detail)
Amun was an ancient creator god. By the New Kingdom, he had been merged with the sun god, Re, and as Amun-Re ruled all of Egypt. Gold is especially appropriate material for this statue of Amun-Re because its color and sheen symbolize the sun.

Akhenaten sacrificing a duck
Akhenaten believed light was the only divine power in the universe and thus was the source and sustainer of all creation. Aten, the solar disk, symbolized this one great power. Only the Aten's rays ending in small human hands can be seen here. One holds the ankh, symbol of life, toward the king's nose.