Bust of Ramesses II
This finely carved bust of Ramesses II bears a striking resemblance to a statue of the pharaoh housed in the Egyptian Museum in Turin. However, in contrast to the Turin figure (Cat. 1380), which is adorned with the regal Blue Khepresh Crown, the Cairo sculpture features a shoulder-length, blunt-cut wig with a distinctive fringe and intricately layered detailing.
At the centre of the king’s brow, the uraeus—the sacred rearing cobra symbolising divine authority—emerges proudly, secured by a headband that fastens the elaborate wig in place. Ramesses is depicted with a youthful countenance, his expression softened by a faint, enigmatic smile. The nose, now lost to time, once completed the serene features of his face.
Below, he is adorned with an ornate broad collar, composed of five elegant rows of beads, and dressed in a finely pleated, close-fitting robe that reflects both the artistry and sophistication of New Kingdom craftsmanship.
Carved from enduring black granite, this striking bust of Ramesses II stands as a testament to the artistry and ambition of New Kingdom Egypt. Measuring 80 cm in height and 70 cm in width, the sculpture exudes an imposing presence even in its fragmentary state. The choice of material is far from incidental—black granite, known for its density, durability, and fine-grained texture, was reserved for the most prestigious commissions in Ancient Egypt.
Harder than most stones available to Egyptian artisans, black granite was quarried primarily from Aswan and occasionally from the Eastern Desert. Its use required immense skill and effort, a fact which only heightened its symbolic value. Frequently chosen for royal statues, temple architecture, and sarcophagi, black granite was associated with permanence, divine strength, and the regenerative power of the afterlife. The stone’s dark hue may also have evoked the fertile silt of the Nile, reinforcing themes of rebirth and continuity—concepts central to Egyptian kingship and religious thought.
This particular bust was discovered in Tanis, a significant archaeological site in the Nile Delta. Once a thriving city during the Third Intermediate Period, Tanis served as the capital of the 21st and 22nd Dynasties. It became a royal necropolis and a major religious centre, particularly associated with the worship of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. The site is remarkable for its reuse of earlier monuments, many of which were transported from older cities, such as Pi-Ramesses—Ramesses II’s own capital.
The presence of this bust in Tanis, therefore, may reflect the complex history of reappropriation and reverence in later periods, where Ramesses II, long dead yet still venerated, remained a powerful symbol of divine kingship. The choice of black granite, the craftsmanship of the sculpture, and its rediscovery in the rich archaeological layers of Tanis all serve to underscore the enduring legacy of one of Egypt’s most iconic pharaohs.
New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, reign of Ramesses II, c. 1279-1213 B.C.
From Tanis.
Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. CG 616
