The Timeline of Art History   The Metropolitan Museum of Art
World MapsTimelines / RegionsThematic EssaysWorks of ArtIndex  
Statue of Queen Ahmose-Nefertari, New Kingdom, Dynasty 18, reign of Ahmose, ca. 1550–1525 B.C.
Egyptian
Limestone; H. 11 in. (28 cm)
Rogers Fund, 1916 (16.10.224)

Queen Ahmose-Nefertari was the wife of Ahmose, first king of Dynasty 18. Probably the daughter of Kamose, last king of Dynasty 17, she wielded considerable influence for almost fifty years during the reigns of her husband and her son, Amenhotep I, and survived into the reign of Thutmose I. A posthumous cult in association with her son was established soon after her death and she served as the patron of the Theban necropolis and especially of the tomb builders of Deir el-Medina.

This beautifully detailed statue of the queen portrays her in a heavy wig adorned with the vulture headdress. A uraeus had originally been carved in place of the vulture head on her brow. Her costume, with heavy wig and close-fitting dress with broad shoulder straps, and her face, which is rather round and flat, are typical of queens of the earlier Middle Kingdom.


Open full-size image



  • Related Timeline(s)


    MoveSeparatorPrint
    Close
    Statue of Queen Ahmose-Nefertari, New Kingdom, Dynasty 18, reign of Ahmose, ca. 1550–1525 B.C.
    Egyptian
    Limestone; H. 11 in. (28 cm)
    Rogers Fund, 1916 (16.10.224)