Family statue of a man called Wah-Ib “Jeweller of Amun”, wife Teri

This family portrait comes from the reign of Amenhotep III. The artistic style of the piece is reminiscent of other pieces from the Late 18th Dynasty era, in which after a lustrous and inspiring reign, Amenhotep III’s lineage took hold with Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten), leading to the eventual collapse of the 18th Dynasty’s Golden Age of Egypt.

After Amenhotep IV’s (Akhenaten) apparent religious revolution, Amenhotep III’s royal bloodline and family claim to the throne would end with the death of Amenhotep III’s grandson, the “boy king”, Tutankhamun.

However, this family portrait would come before the turmoil of the end of the 18th Dynasty. We can presume this as Wah-Ib is engraved with the title “Jeweller of Amun”, which tells us, this statue was created, before Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten)’s sway to “Atenism”.

The name of the goddess Mut also appears. It is apparent that Wah-Ib worked in the temple of Amun crafting jewels or tributes for the god, who was essentially abandoned by the son of Amenhotep III, king Akhenaten, formally Amenhotep IV.

This family portrait statue was dedicated to the “Jeweller of Amun”, Wah-Ib, and his wife Teri by their son, who is depicted between the pair as a smaller figure. The name of the son, unfortunately, is lost as erosion has taken place, and clearly, the head of Wah-Ib is lost too.

Luckily, Teri, remains with her luxourious wig, showing her status in society, and fitted dress. Paint of red remains on Wah-Ib and his son, the colour usually used for Egyptian males. And yellow, remains on the face and body of Teri. She smiles softly into eternity.

New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, reign of Amenhotep III, c. 1410-1372 B.C. Now in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria. INV 9233