Head of Amarna Royal

Showcasing a clear resemblance to members of the Amarna royal family, it is not hard to see this piece dates from the late 18th Dynasty. Absolute identification of this head is uncertain, but resemblance to Tiye as well as her son king Akhenaten himself, as well as other heads of princesses (daughters of Akhenaten), make it almost absolute that an Amarna royal is being depicted here.

Some suggest this head could be a representation of one of the daughters of Akhenaten and Nefertiti, and a resemblance is there. Others propose it is possibly the secondary wife of Akhenaten, Queen Kiya. And as always with un-named depictions from the Amarna age, there is the possibility of the face being of the “mysterious” Smenkhkare: Smenkhkare is a mysterious king of Egypt, who reigned somewhere during the sunset of the 18th Dynasty. Who he (or she) may have been is shrouded in mystery and theories. It is proposed Smenkhkare was a lost brother of Akhenaten or son, or older brother of Tutankhamun. Some also propose Smenkhkare was even Nefertiti herself. Such theories will change depending on which scholar you read, and quite rare in the study of history, almost all the theories are fascinating to delve into. It is evident that the mystery around this period is a part of what makes it so enchanting among Egyptologists and general history lovers to delve into.

For now, the head is simply an Amarna royal. Discovered in Tel el-Amarna, the location of the ancient city of Akhetaten, the head dates from 1352-1332 B.C., and is made out of limestone with traces of pigment still present (noticeably the lips and eyeliner). Its dimensions are as follows: 4.5 x 5.2 x 6.2 cm

Summary:

Limestone head of an Amarna royal, with pigment
New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, c. 1352-1332 B.C.
From Tel el-Amarna
Now at the Brooklyn Museum. 86.226.20