Statue of Queen Nofret

In this statue, Queen Nofret is shown seated on a throne, wearing a wig known as a Hathor wig, which has three separate tresses of hair. A large tress falls behind the head, while two wavy tresses are pulled to the front and wrapped in narrow bands, which end over the breasts in two spirals that encircle disks. A uraeus of rearing cobra is depicted on the forehead for protection.

The queen has a large face and enormous, almost detached, ears. Her oversized limbs portray a powerful stature. She is wearing a robe with a very low opening and large anklets that ornament her thick ankles. She wears an incised openwork pectoral, a large piece of jewelry that is worn upon the chest.

Nofret name means beautiful one. The erased text on the throne’s sides likely listed the queen’s titles. Along with Khenemetneferhedjet I she was one of the two known wives of Senusret II; his other two possible wives were Khenmet and Itaweret. All four were also Senusret’s sisters.

Two of her statues were found at Tanis and these are now in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The small pyramid in her husband’s Kahun pyramid complex was probably built for her.

Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, reign of Senusret II, ca. 1897-1878 BC. Black granite, from Tanis. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 37487; CG 381