New Kingdom Granite Head of a Man

Found in Sinai, Egypt

This marvelous Egyptian granite head dates from the Golden Age of the New Kingdom. Originally, the bust would have been attached to a larger, complete body; although this has been lost to us. What does survive, however, is a gorgeous rendering of a smiling, youthful man. He wears a cloth, striped nemes wig, the same type that was immortalized in the famous tomb sculptures of Tutankhamen. The wig is indicative of the pharaohs and was often used in art to indicate social status. A rearing uraeus cobra decorates the front of the headdress. The facial features of the man have been rendered with an idealization typical of Egyptian art. His eyes are wide open and he smiles sweetly, as if greeting the gods in the great beyond. Such a work originally may have been entered alongside the deceased in order to welcome him into the afterlife.