Seated statue of Seti II with shrine to Amun

This quartzite sandstone statue depicts king Seti II upon his throne, holding a shrine surmounted by a ram’s head, which is associated with the god Amun. The British museum states that this statue is one of the most complete sculptures from the entirety of Ancient Egypt.

It is extremely rare to find a statue of an Egyptian king with an emblem resting upon his knees in such a pose. Usually kings in a state of offering towards a deity would show the king upon his knees or sometimes standing or prostrate. This is the only known seated statue of king Seti II discovered as of yet.

The statue was excavated by Giovanni Battista Belzoni at Karnak Temple, most likely at the Temple of Mut and currently resides at the British Museum.

Upon the dorsal pillar, hieroglyphics state; “The perfect god, valiant in arm, and great of strength like Montu, Lord of Thebes.” While upon the base, it is written; “Beloved of Ptah-Sokar-Osiris; Beloved of Osiris Khentamentiu.” Upon each shoulder of the king appear two cartouches, “Userkheperure-Meriamun” is carved upon on the right, while “Seti-Merenptah” is upon the left.

Upon the throne, heraldic plants of Upper and Lower Egypt are binding together, symbolising the union of Upper and Lower Egypt.
The British Museum states that; “these plants are generally placed to correspond with the direction of the statue and occupy the same position on each side. Here, however, their positions are inverted: on the throne’s right side we find the papyrus near the back and the lotus near the front, while on the left side, we observe the contrary.”

Seti II was the son of Merenptah and grandson of Ramesses II. Seti II was the fifth pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt and reigned from c. 1203 BC to 1197 BC. His throne name, Userkheperure Setepenre, means “Powerful are the manifestations of Re, the chosen one of Re.” He was the son of Merneptah and Isetnofret II and sat on the throne during a period known for dynastic intrigue and short reigns, and his rule was no different. Seti II had to deal with many serious plots, most significantly the accession of a rival king named Amenmesse, possibly a half brother, who seized control over Thebes and Nubia in Upper Egypt during his second to fourth regnal years.

Summary:
Seti II with shrine to Amun
New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, c. 1200 -1194 B.C.
Excavated by Giovanni Battista Belzoni at Karnak
British Museum. EA26