Head of Amun with inlaid eyes
Egyptian blue was a synthetic pigment used most frequently to add color to objects composed of other materials, or for small objects such as scarabs. It was occasionally also used for larger objects, such as this small sculpture representing Amun, of which only the head remains.
The god Amun ("the hidden one") began to rise in importance early in the Middle Kingdom. He became more prominent over the course of the second millennium B.C., and beginning in the New Kingdom was seen as the king of the Egyptian pantheon. His cult continued to gain significance over the first millennium B.C. as well. Although his principal cult center was at Karnak in southern Egypt, he was worshipped at many sites throughout the Nile Valley.
The god Amun ("the hidden one") began to rise in importance early in the Middle Kingdom. He became more prominent over the course of the second millennium B.C., and beginning in the New Kingdom was seen as the king of the Egyptian pantheon. His cult continued to gain significance over the first millennium B.C. as well. Although his principal cult center was at Karnak in southern Egypt, he was worshipped at many sites throughout the Nile Valley.
Artwork Details
- Title: Head of Amun with inlaid eyes
- Period: Third Intermediate Period
- Dynasty: Dynasty 22–23
- Date: ca. 945–700 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt
- Medium: Egyptian blue
- Dimensions: H. 5.2 × W. 3.8 × D. 5.2 cm (2 1/16 × 1 1/2 × 2 1/16 in.)
- Credit Line: Bequest of Nanette B. Kelekian, 2020
- Object Number: 2021.41.93
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
278–270 B.C.
690–610 B.C.
246–222 B.C.
589–570 B.C.
300–250 B.C.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.