Fragment from the head of a statue

Art Historical Context

This delicate fragment, hailing from Egypt's Old Kingdom during Dynasty 5 (ca. 2381–2323 B.C.), captures part of a statue's head crafted by an unknown artist. Standing just 21.1 cm tall, it offers a tantalizing glimpse into the monumental world of ancient Egyptian sculpture, likely from a tomb or temple context where such figures served funerary or protective roles. The Old Kingdom marked an era of unparalleled stability and architectural grandeur, with pharaohs like those of Dynasty 5 commissioning pyramids and sun temples that reflected their divine power. Carved from imported coniferous ce...