Head of Khafre

The fragment of a head of king Khafre, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, once belonged to a statue that likely stood in one of the king’s grand temple complexes at Giza. Most probably, it was part of a seated or standing figure placed within the valley temple, mortuary temple, or possibly along the causeway connecting the pyramid to the Nile. These temples were not merely architectural adornments; they were sacred spaces where rituals were performed to ensure the king’s eternal life and communion with the gods.

As for its discovery at Giza, this was the very heart of Khafre’s architectural and spiritual legacy. The Giza Plateau housed not only his grand pyramid but also the valley temple and the Great Sphinx, forming a complex that signalled his divine right to rule and his union with the sun god Ra. Over millennia, many of these temples fell into ruin, statues were broken or displaced by natural forces, looting, and later construction. The fragment we see today may have been excavated from debris or temple ruins, a surviving piece of a once-majestic image that connected the king to the gods and his people.

Made of Egyptian Alabaster (Travertine), in its original form, the statue would have depicted Khafre in idealised splendour; wearing either the nemes headdress or crown, both adorned with the uraeus cobra on his brow, and radiating the serene authority of a god-king. Incense would have wafted through the air, and priests would have offered prayers, food, and ritual gestures before the statue, seeing it not merely as a representation but as a living image of Khafre’s immortal spirit. The head, though fragmentary and incomplete today, offers a glimpse into a world where sculpture was both art and ritual, a tangible expression of Pharaonic eternity, standing within the sacred landscape of Giza, a site of awe-inspiring grandeur.

Travertine (Egyptian Alabaster)

Travertine, known in Egypt as Egyptian Alabaster, is a form of calcite, a sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). Unlike the true alabaster of Europe, which is gypsum-based, Egyptian alabaster is a denser, crystalline form of calcite, prized for its translucent, creamy appearance and its ability to take a high polish. The Ancient Egyptians called this stone “hedj,” meaning “bright” or “shining,” a reference to its luminous quality, especially when lit by flickering temple lamps or sunlight filtering into sanctuaries.

This material was quarried mainly from the Hatnub quarries in Middle Egypt, near Tel el-Amarna, and at Wadi Gerawi, among other sites. Its use is attested from the Predynastic Period onward, and it became a favourite for crafting vessels, statues, Canopic jars, and offering tables. Travertine’s softness compared to harder stones like diorite or granite made it more amenable to delicate carving, ideal for detailed royal and religious statues.

In the case of Khafre’s head fragment, the use of Egyptian Alabaster (travertine) would have lent the piece a soft, luminous glow, evoking both divine radiance and royal purity. The stone’s fine grain allowed sculptors to capture the subtle contours of the king’s face, while its creamy translucence symbolised the eternal light and life force associated with kingship and the sun god Re.

Khafre

Khafre (also known as Khefren) was a king of Egypt’s 4th Dynasty, reigning during the Old Kingdom around c. 2558–2532 B.C.

He was the son of king Khufu (builder of the Great Pyramid) and likely a brother or successor of Djedefre. Khafre’s reign marked a continuation of the pyramid-building tradition at Giza, with his most enduring monument being the Pyramid of Khafre, the second-largest of the three grand pyramids, rising proudly on the Giza Plateau. Though slightly shorter than Khufu’s, it retains a more intact casing at its apex, giving it a striking silhouette.

Perhaps even more famous is the Great Sphinx of Giza, which is widely believed to have been constructed during Khafre’s reign. Carved from a single limestone outcrop, the Sphinx combines a lion’s body with a human head, bearing features that many scholars associate with Khafre’s likeness. This colossal guardian of the necropolis embodies royal power, divine protection, and the pharaoh’s role as an intermediary between the gods and his people.

Khafre’s reign, though not as well documented as that of Khufu, is believed to have been a period of stability and prosperity, with a strong centralised administration and flourishing royal cult. He commissioned a valley temple and a mortuary temple, both connected to his pyramid via a grand causeway. These temples were adorned with colossal seated statues of Khafre, including the renowned diorite statue now housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, depicting him enthroned, with the Horus falcon protectively perched behind his head; a symbol of divine kingship.

Khafre’s rule was a reflection of the Old Kingdom’s emphasis on monumental architecture, divine kingship, and the enduring quest for immortality. His legacy endures in the towering grandeur of his pyramid and the enigmatic gaze of the Sphinx, a testament to Egypt’s architectural and spiritual ambition.

Summary:


Egyptian Alabaster face of Khafre (fragmentary)

Old Kingdom, 4th Dynasy, reign of Khafre, c. 2520–2494 B.C.

Most likely discovered at the Pyramid Complex of Khafre, Giza Plateau. Formerly MacGregor Collection. Purchased by Lord Carnarvon at MacGregor sale (Sotheby’s, 1922, lot 255). Carnarvon Collection, purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art from Almina, Countess of Carnarvon, 1926. 26.7.1392