Period: New Kingdom, Amarna Period Dynasty: Dynasty 18 Reign: reign of Tutankhamun Date: ca. 1336–1327 B.C. Geography: From Egypt Medium: Indurated Limestone Dimensions: H. 17.2 cm (6 3/4 in.); W. 16 cm (6 5/16 in.); D. 23.6 cm (9 5/16 in.) Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1950 Accession Number: 50.6
This head is a fragment from a statue group that represented the god Amun seated on a throne with the young king Tutankhamun standing or kneeling in front of him. The king’s figure was considerably smaller than that of the god, indicating his subordinate status in the presence of the deity. All that remains of Amun is his right hand, which touches the back of the king’s crown in a gesture that signifies Tutankhamun’s investiture as king. During coronation rituals, various types of crowns were put on the king’s head. The type represented here—probably a leather helmet with metal disks sewn onto it—was generally painted blue, and is commonly called the “blue crown.” The ancient name was khepresh.
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