Kushite King

This bronze statuette depicts a king of Kushite origin who ruled Egypt during the 25th Dynasty of the Third Intermediate Period.

The Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt (notated Dynasty XXV, alternatively 25th Dynasty or Dynasty 25), also known as the Nubian Dynasty, the Kushite Empire, or the Napatans after their city Napata, was Egypt’s final dynasty of the Third Intermediate Period, following the Nubian invasion.

The 25th dynasty was a line of pharaohs from the Kingdom of Kush, which is now northern Sudan and Upper Egypt. The majority of this dynasty’s kings viewed Napata as their spiritual home. They ruled over part or all of Ancient Egypt from 744 to 656 B.C.
The 25th dynasty was strongly Egyptianized, employing the Egyptian language and writing system as their medium of record and demonstrating an exceptional devotion to Egypt’s religious, artistic and literary traditions. Earlier academics attributed the Kushite Dynasty’s origins to Egyptian immigrants, specifically Amun priests.

The little bronze kneeling figure, with traces of gold leaf, illustrates two features of Kushite Period art that intensify inclinations that existed in the Third Intermediate Period. The inclusion of miniature bronze royal attendant statues expressed a particularly religious devotion for the gods and their shrines. In terms of style, there was a preference for historical models, notably those from the Old Kingdom, as evidenced by the tiny bronze’s broad shoulders and short waist.

The Kushite kings wore a distinct regalia, including : a cap crown, double uraei, and ram’s-head amulets. The twin uraei on this kneeling monarch have been “corrected” to one, while the ram’s-head amulets on the necklace and the king’s name on his belt were hammered out by a later Saite ruler. The cap crown with a falcon etched on the rear, the bandeau with streamers, and the diadem with several miniature uraei remained unaltered.

Whilst the Twenty-Fifth Dynasty ruled Ancient Egypt for only 91 years (747-656 B.C.), it played an essential role in Egyptian history by restoring traditional Egyptian values, culture, art, and architecture.

The Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt resumed the lost Egyptian habit of erecting pyramids for its deceased monarchs. Nubian monarchs erected their own pyramids 1000 years after Egyptian burial practices altered. Nubian pyramids were initially built at El Kurru in 751 B.C. for Piye, the first ruler of the 25th Dynasty, followed by additional at Nuri. The Nubian-style pyramids resembled a type of Egyptian private elite family pyramid that was popular during the New Kingdom (1550-1069 B.C.).

This ram-headed amulet was most likely created for a necklace worn by one of the Kushite monarchs. These pharaohs are depicted wearing a ram’s-head amulet strung around the neck on a thick rope, with the ends falling forward over the shoulders. Sometimes a tiny ram’s head is affixed to either end. Rams were associated with the god Amun, notably in Nubia, where he was highly regarded.

Summary:

Bronze Kushite king
Third Intermediate Period, 25th Dynasty, ca. 713-664 B.C.
Now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2002.8