Obsidian (volcanic glass) head of Senwosret III

This obsidian head, an exquisite example of Egyptian craftsmanship, was part of a full-length statue depicting King Senwosret III. The king is wearing a nemes headdress, with the sacred serpent (uraeus), representing regal and divine might.

In this representation, the artist portrays the sense of a firm yet extremely human figure, showing the load of immense responsibility that comes with his position as king of a kingdom that had already once collapsed previously (Old Kingdom).

The piece, which is made of obsidian, volcanic glass, a material of exceptional strength and fragility, was created during a time when Egypt was experiencing a distinct cultural and artistic renaissance, as seen by the developing uniqueness and “realism” of portraiture.

Senwosret III, who governed Egypt for around 39 years, was a renowned monarch of the 12th Dynasty and is regarded as possibly the most powerful Egyptian pharaoh of the dynasty.

During his reign, artists tended to represent the attributes of royal statues in more realistic, if exaggerated, ways rather than the former idealistic forms.

Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, c. 1860 BC. MacGregor Collection. Acquired by Calouste Gulbenkian through Kehyaian at the sale of MacGregor Collection, Sotheby’s, London, 6 July 1922. Now in the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. Inv. 138