Amenhotep I or Ramesses II wearing the Khepresh

This striding statuette of a New Kingdom king, depicts the king in a kilt (shendyt) adorned with an elaborate belt, a usekh collar around his neck, and most notably, the “Blue Crown of War”, known to the Egyptians as the “Khepresh” upon his head, which is given a realistic glisten by the addition of rounded blue faïence.

The statue is often associated with Amenhotep I, but others, including the Louvre, where this statue now resides, label this piece as Ramesses II. This may be confusing, but it was not uncommon for kings to reuse or usurp relics from past monarchs, in fact Ramesses II is very well known among scholars for his usurping of past monuments and statues, especially those made during the reign of king Amenhotep III.

However, a further reason for this confusion when it comes to identifying this piece may or almost certainly comes from the deification of Amenhotep I within the Deir el-Medina region, where this piece was found.

Both Amenhotep I and his mother Ahmose-Nefertari became deified after their deaths. Ahmose-Nefertari outlived her son by approximately a year at the least, and became worshipped alongside her son for centuries after. Therefore, depictions of both Amenhotep I and his mother Ahmose-Nefertari are found in tombs and among other types of relics and funerary items dating from much later from their life-times. Thus, explaining statues and other depictions of either of the two dating from later king’s reigns.

Despite a leg and arm missing, this humble wooden statue showcases the intricacy that went into making such pieces. Of course, most strikingly about this piece is the fragmentary remnants of the glistening Blue Crown.

With an aquiline nose, lined eyes and brows and a straight pursed mouth, the king faces forward for eternity with a Stoic glance with a slight smile. His cheeks are rather chubby when facing forward, and his rounded chin gives a slight appearance of plumpness to his face. However, unlike the images from the reign of Akhenaten, where the king would be depicted with a soft stomach and a slight gynaecomastia, the king depicted here is shown with an in shape torso, with decorative armbands adorning his one remaining slender bicep.

The beautiful blue of the Khepresh still glistens in the light, thousands of years after this piece was first commissioned. Despite many missing pieces of rounded faïence, we can truly get a glimpse of what a sight a Khepresh crown may have been like to behold.

Unfortunately, and despite the discovery of varied diadems and jewellery, no true crown has ever been discovered from Ancient Egypt thus far.
There are varied theories as into why this may be. Some propose that, perhaps, the major crowns were passed down through the monarchs, rather than being buried alongside rulers. Whereas some, suggest they may have been made from materials that did not stand the test of time. And others think both of these theories may be true at once.

It should be noted, however, that many royals were robbed in Antiquity, and sadly, we can never be sure what the monarchs would have been dressed in at death. The rarity of the discovery of Tutankhamun still adorned in his jewels, death mask and even dagger cannot be understated. Despite no crown being discovered within King Tutankhamun’s tomb, diadems were and Tutankhamun was in fact buried wearing a cap crown under his death mask, along with a beaded skull cap, both of which were photographed by Harry Burton still upon the king’s head, alas, due to its fragility it sadly disintegrated.

Summary:

Painted wooden statue of a king (Amenhotep I or Ramesses II) wearing the “Blue Crown of War”, which is given a glistening effect by circular pieces of blue faïence
New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, reign of Ramesses II, c. 1279-1213 B.C.
From Deir el-Medina, now at the Musée du Louvre. E 16277