18th Dynasty Head of a Pharaon

B A R A K AT G A L L E RY Mirror of all Ages and Cultures

Red Granite Head of a Pharaoh, possibly Ahmose I or Aumnhotep I - GM.0020 Origin: Egypt Circa: 1550 BC to 1290 BC Dimensions: 11.5" (29.2cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide x 7.2" (18.3cm) depth Medium: Granite Price on request

58 Brook Street, W1K 5DT, London | +44 207 493 7778 | info@barakatgallery.eu 941 North La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles | 58-4, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

B A R A K AT G A L L E RY Mirror of all Ages and Cultures

Curatorial comment: A stunning and well-preserved red granite head of a Pharaoh dating to the 18th Dynasty, possibly Ahmose I (first Pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty and of the New Kingdom) or his son Amunhotep I. The delicate and schematic facial features, along with the indented smile allows to date this sculpture to the beginning of the 18th Dynasty.

These features were not meant to constitute a faithful resemblance of the physical appearance of the portrayed king, but rather to recall images of earlier great rulers. Physical likeness was therefore ‘sublimated’ into an ideological and idealized portraiture, embodying the concept of power itself rather than the specific identity of the single ruler.

The figure is preserved from the chin up. The king is represented wearing the ‘Hedjet’, the White Crown of Upper Egypt. A back pillar rises almost to the top of the figure providing support. Cosmetic lines are well and plastically rendered. The ears are skilfully worked on a single plan.

All the stylistic details mentioned above allow to propose an identification with either Ahmose or his son Amunhotep I, the chief imitators of the earlier Middle Kingdom style. A particularly interesting comparable is a head preserved at the Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund (37.38E), along with a head of Ahmose I preserved at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (2006.270).

Dimensions given are exclusive of mounting.

58 Brook Street, W1K 5DT, London | +44 207 493 7778 | info@barakatgallery.eu 941 North La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles | 58-4, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

B A R A K AT G A L L E RY Mirror of all Ages and Cultures

Condition Report: The artefact (Red Granite Head of a Pharaoh, possibly Ahmose I or Aumnhotep I - GM.0020) is in very fine state. Facial features are very well preserved, with a single chip on the nose, slight abrasion on the left brow. Chips on the left ear, which is preserved for approximately 80%.

Minor chips on right ear. The breaks at the top and bottom of the artefact are not sharp and show substantial traces of earth deposits. Their state seems to be perfectly compatible with ancient breaks. Minor chips and abrasions on the back. Earth deposits inside and beneath ears.

The artefact has been professionally mounted.

58 Brook Street, W1K 5DT, London | +44 207 493 7778 | info@barakatgallery.eu 941 North La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles | 58-4, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

B A R A K AT G A L L E RY Mirror of all Ages and Cultures

58 Brook Street, W1K 5DT, London | +44 207 493 7778 | info@barakatgallery.eu 941 North La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles | 58-4, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

B A R A K AT G A L L E RY Mirror of all Ages and Cultures

58 Brook Street, W1K 5DT, London | +44 207 493 7778 | info@barakatgallery.eu 941 North La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles | 58-4, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

B A R A K AT G A L L E RY Mirror of all Ages and Cultures

58 Brook Street, W1K 5DT, London | +44 207 493 7778 | info@barakatgallery.eu 941 North La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles | 58-4, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

B A R A K AT G A L L E RY Mirror of all Ages and Cultures

Barakat Gallery, GM.0020.

Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2006.270.

58 Brook Street, W1K 5DT, London | +44 207 493 7778 | info@barakatgallery.eu 941 North La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles | 58-4, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Brooklyn Museum, 37.38E.