King Sahure Accompanied by a Divine Figure
Unknown Artist
ca. 2458–2446 B.C.
Medium
Gneiss
Dimensions
H. 64 × W. 46 × D. 41.5 cm, 127 kg (25 3/16 × 18 1/8 × 16 5/16 in., 280 lb.)
Classification
Statue group, King Sahure, Nome God
Period
Old Kingdom
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1918
Accession Number
18.2.4
Tags
About this artwork
This artwork titled "King Sahure Accompanied by a Divine Figure" dates to ca. 2458–2446 B.C.. Executed in gneiss, this work represents Old Kingdom, Dynasty 5 artistic traditions. The piece demonstrates the technical skill and artistic vision characteristic of its period. The work's presence in a major museum collection attests to its significance in the broader narrative of art history. As part of institutional holdings, it serves both scholarly research and public education, offering insights i...
Art Historical Context
Step into ancient Egypt with *King Sahure Accompanied a Divine Figure*, a sculpture from the Old Kingdom's Fifth Dynasty (ca. 2458–2446 B.C.). Carved from dense gneiss—a tough metamorphic rock—this statue stands at 64 cm tall, weighing a hefty 127 kg, showcasing the monumental scale typical of royal monuments. It depicts Pharaoh Sahure, a key ruler of his era, striding alongside a protective deity, embodying the pharaoh's sacred role as intermediary between gods and mortals. Crafted by an unknown artist, the work highlights the technical prowess of Old Kingdom sculptors. Gneiss's hardness dem...