Votive Head of a King

305–246 BCE
Overall: 21.6 x 16.5 cm (8 1/2 x 6 1/2 in.)
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Location: 107 Egyptian

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Did You Know?

The purpose of this sculpture is not known; it is assumed that this and others like it were votive offerings in honor of the king.

Description

The browband, part of a royal headdress, identifies this fine head as a king. Curiously this head is in limestone, one of very few in this medium. They are fairly common in plaster. This one, apparently in imitation of its plaster prototypes, has been hollowed out; the gouging marks are still clearly visible. The portrait type is most closely associated with Ptolemy II. An exact date, however, is speculative at best as features like this occur as early as Dynasty 29.
Votive Head of a King

Votive Head of a King

305–246 BCE

Egypt, Greco-Roman period (332 BCE–395 CE), reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285–246 BCE)

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