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Trial Piece with Relief of Head of Akhenaten

New Kingdom, Amarna Period
ca. 1347–1330 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 122
The slanting slitted eye, heavy everted lips, and drooping chin here recognizably signify the pharaoh Akhenaten.

This piece is a 'sculptor's model' from Amarna. Such models are roughly rectangular slabs of stone on which the representation is theorized to be a master's model for his assistants to follow while decorating a wall with relief or, alternatively, an apprentice's study piece. At least in some instances, however, such pieces may have been intended or served secondarily as donations. For instance, one such relief found in the Great Temple of the Aton at Amarna shows a kneeling figure on the reverse side of a royal representation.

The king's image appears to be unfinished, lacking characteristic furrows and lines and the royal uraeus.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Trial Piece with Relief of Head of Akhenaten
  • Period: New Kingdom, Amarna Period
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 18
  • Reign: reign of Akhenaten
  • Date: ca. 1347–1330 BCE
  • Geography: From Egypt, Middle Egypt, Amarna (Akhetaten), Petrie/Carter excavations, 1891–92
  • Medium: Limestone
  • Dimensions: H. 35 cm (13 3/4 in.); W. 23.4 cm (9 3/16 in.); D. 4.9 cm (1 15/16 in.)
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Fletcher Fund and The Guide Foundation Inc. Gift, 1966
  • Object Number: 66.99.40
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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