Artwork Page for Head of King Userkaf

Details / Information for Head of King Userkaf

Head of King Userkaf

c. 2454–2447 BCE

Egypt, Old Kingdom (2647–2124 BCE), Dynasty 5, reign of Userkaf

(2496–2491 BCE)
Medium
painted limestone
Measurements
Overall: 6.5 x 7.2 cm (2 9/16 x 2 13/16 in.); Face: 4.8 x 4.8 cm (1 7/8 x 1 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund 1979.2
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

Visible chisel marks on the side of the crown imply that another figure once stood to the king's right; only a god or goddess could have stood in this prominent position.

Description

Despite the monumental achievements of the Old Kingdom’s Pyramid Age, few images of its rulers survive. This head has been identified as King Userkaf, the first king of Dynasty 5. Userkaf built a modest pyramid at Saqqara and a temple to the sun god Ra at Abusir. According to later tradition, the first three kings of Dynasty 5 were the children of Ra himself and a mortal woman. From Userkaf’s reign on, the kings of Egypt were called "Sons of Ra." Here, Userkaf wears the two basic items of regalia that identify him as king: the tall, conical White Crown of Upper (southern) Egypt, and the royal false beard.
A light orange limestone sculpture depicts a man's head wearing a tall crown in the shape of a cone, broken off as it starts to narrow at the top. He has a small rectangular beard, the corner on our lower right chipped off. Chips dot the sculpture with a crack running vertically down the center of the crown.

Head of King Userkaf

c. 2454–2447 BCE

Egypt, Old Kingdom (2647–2124 BCE), Dynasty 5, reign of Userkaf (2496–2491 BCE)

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Shop the CMA Store

Shop More Art

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork