Wig (a) and nemes tail (b)
These two fragments belong to the group of fragments from the Great Aten Temple at Amarna by Petrie and Carter in 1891-2. They constitute a significant contribution to the research on the temple statuary. The wig could be royal or non-royal, and is so flat as to possibly be relief rather than statuary. The fragment once termed a beard is actually probably part of the tail of a nemes headdress, although there is no join to other fragments in the museum.
The fragments reached the museum by a circuitous path. A French dealer Joseph Altounian was the next major purchaser after the Museum when the Museum purchased Amarna temple fragments dispersed at auction in 1921. In 1957 when M. Altounian died, the Museum purchased the Amarna fragments left at his death. These two fragments had been retained in the family and only recently became available.
The fragments reached the museum by a circuitous path. A French dealer Joseph Altounian was the next major purchaser after the Museum when the Museum purchased Amarna temple fragments dispersed at auction in 1921. In 1957 when M. Altounian died, the Museum purchased the Amarna fragments left at his death. These two fragments had been retained in the family and only recently became available.
Artwork Details
- Title: Wig (a) and nemes tail (b)
- Period: New Kingdom
- Dynasty: Dynasty 18
- Reign: Reign of Amenhotep IV/Akhenaten
- Date: 1353–1336 BC
- Geography: From Egypt, Middle Egypt, Amarna/Akhetaten, Great Temple of the Aten, pit outside southern wall, Petrie/Carter Excavations, 1891-2
- Medium: Indurated limestone
- Dimensions: wig (a): W. 17.6 × H. 13.2 × D. 6 cm (6 15/16 × 5 3/16 × 2 3/8 in.); beard (b): L. 6.9 × W. 4.1 × D. 4.5 cm (2 11/16 × 1 5/8 × 1 3/4 in.)
- Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Egyptian Art Gifts, 2019
- Object Number: 2019.344a, b
- 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.
ca. 1353–1336 B.C.
ca. 1353–1336 B.C.
ca. 1353–1336 B.C.
1327–1295 BC
ca. 1479–1458 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.