Torso of Queen Sebekneferu
Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12, reign of Sebekneferu, 1805-1801 BC
Quartzite
Musée du Louvre E 27135
cat. no. 7

Sebekneferu was the daughter of Amenemhat III. The last ruler of Dynasty 12, she was one of only five women in ancient Egypt to rule as king in her own right. Kingship in ancient Egypt was a male role, and in Egyptian art, ruling queens were typically represented as male pharaohs. Sebekneferu was the exception and appears as female in all her statues.

This torso is the best preserved of the five known statues of Sebekneferu, all now without heads. Her costume combines female dress with kingly attire. Over a high-waisted shift with shoulder straps -- the typical female dress -- she wears a wraparound kilt with starched triangular front panel, beaded belt, and apron, similar to those worn by Amenemhat III. These elements of royal attire are complemented by the nemes-headdress, whose lappets drape over her shoulders. On the belt buckle, the title preceding her name reads "daughter of Ra" in compliance with her sex.