Life-size quartzite head of Nefertiti

This life-size quartzite head of Nefertiti was discovered within the remains of the workshop of the Ancient Egyptian sculptor Thutmose at Amarna. Although unmarked, the resemblance to other portraits of Nefertiti identify her clearly. The head is made of quartzite, but has yet to be sanded to create a smooth finish. The face still has the artist’s outlines to indicate where to work on the piece. It is more than likely that the eyes were to be inlaid, and the face would have been painted eventually.

The head, like many Amarna period statues from the workshop of Thutmose, have a rectangular stand upon the head, indicating that a crown would eventually be fitted to the piece. It is likely this head would be part of a life-size statue of Nefertiti.

New Kingdom, 18th dynasty, c. 1352–1334 B.C.