Block Statue of Hor, Son of Ankhkhonsu

This block statue belonged to a person called Hor, who was a priest of Montu. It was consecrated to him in the domain of Karnak by his grandson, also called Hor. The dedication of this statue in the temple ensured that Hor would stay forever near the god of the temple and receive a part of the divine offerings.

Block statues or cube statues have been known in Egyptian art since the time of the Middle Kingdom and were favored until the Late Period. They are sculpted from a cubic block, from which only the head emerges. The thighs are brought up to the chest and the arms are usually crossed on the knees. They were less expensive and more durable than other types of statuary.

Most of the detail is reserved for the head of the individual being depicted. In some instances the modeling of the limbs has been retained by the sculptor.

Examples of the statue for Senemut, of Queen Hatshepsut’s reign, have extensive stories in hieroglyphs. They also have the added head of the child Neferure upon the top surface. They are finely executed, in a medium or high finish.

Late Period, 26th Dynasty, ca. 664-525 BC. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 37150