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Relief fragment with the head of a goddess

Old Kingdom
ca. 2353–2152 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 103
This large fragment preserves part of a colossal representation of an unidentified goddess who was certainly taking part in a ritual involving the king. The eye was originally filled with inlays of black and white stone that must have given the face a startlingly lifelike appearance.

Awe-inspiring compositions of large figures, showing the king interacting with gods, dominated the walls of pyramid complexes of the later Fifth and Sixth Dynasties.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Relief fragment with the head of a goddess
  • Period: Old Kingdom
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 5–6
  • Reign: reign of Unis–Pepi II
  • Date: ca. 2353–2152 BCE
  • Geography: From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht North, Pyramid Complex of Amenemhat I, MMA excavations, 1906–07
  • Medium: Limestone, paint
  • Dimensions: H. 42 cm (16 9/16 in.); W. 51 cm (20 1/16 in.)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1908
  • Object Number: 08.200.56
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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