Yellow Jasper head of a Queen

“The parts that are not there, the loss, give it even more power.”– Barry X Ball, American sculptor. The Artist Project, 2016.

This fragmentary head of a queen dates from the Amarna period, and it likely depicts king Akhenaten’s mother Queen Tiye, however this is not certified, and it could in fact be a daughter or wife of the king, possibly Kiya.

The head is made from yellow jasper and remnants of a mortise which would have been fitted into a tenon extending from the statue’s now missing torso, this tenon of Egyptian alabaster likely simulated a traditional white linen garment.

The head was purchased from Maurice Nahman by Lord Carnarvon in Cairo, and purchased from Almina, Countess of Carnarvon by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1926. The head remains on display at the Met Museum to this very day. It is thought that the head originally came from Tel el-Amarna, the modern location of king Akhenaten’s “experimental” capital. However, it could be possible that it dates from the reign of Amenhotep III and depicts his Great Royal Wife and mother of Akhenaten, Queen Tiye.

The fragmentary head has clearly been damaged, whether intended or not we cannot certify, alas, after the collapse of Akhenaten’s controversial reign, remnants of he and his family were demolished, so it is likely this head was on the receiving end of a purposeful blow.

Based upon the lone feature of the downturned plump mouth and shape of the jawline remaining, with faint nasolabial folds, it can be said the resemblance to Tiye is evident. Also noticeable are the faint carved lines upon the neck, which could indicate age, but could also be a sense of realism that the Amarna age of art experimented with during the reign of Akhenaten. However, considering there is no name identifying the piece, it would be wrong to officially certify something that is simply unverifiable.

Jasper, an opaque, impure type of silica composed of microgranular quartz and/or cryptocrystalline chalcedony and other mineral phases, is typically red, yellow, brown, or green in colour, with a rare blue component.

The common red hue is caused by iron(III) impurities. Jasper has a smooth surface and can be used as an ornament or a gemstone. It can be finely polished and used in vases, seals, and snuff boxes. Jasper has a density of 2.5 to 2.9 grams per cubic centimetre. Jaspillite is a banded iron formation rock with prominent jasper bands.

“This is yellow jasper, which is harder than steel… Every advantage that the 21st century brings me, I would have a hard time equalling this, just in pure technical achievement.” Barry X Ball, American sculptor. The Artist Project, 2016.

Summary:

Yellow jasper head of a Queen, likely Tiye, or possibly a daughter or wife of Akhenaten
New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, c. 1390–1336 B.C.
Likely from Tel el-Amarna.
Purchased from Maurice Nahman by Lord Carnarvon in Cairo, and purchased from Almina, Countess of Carnarvon by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1926