Statuette of Amenhotep III, likely made of wood from Lebanon

At just 26.3 cm tall, this statuette of king Amenhotep III, is a treasure of the Brooklyn Museum in New York, and for obvious reason. The Brooklyn Museum’s website states that it is unsure whether the statue is made from ebony or yew wood, however, Edward Bleiberg (Curator of Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art at the Brooklyn Museum) states that this piece is beautifully carved from Lebanese wood, Egypt’s most well-known source for wood. The statuette is completed with gold leaf detailing upon the shendyt (kilt), and crown adornments.

Amenhotep III is seen striding forth wearing the khepresh (blue crown) of war. The uraeus is sadly missing, as is the presumed pigment of the crown itself. A hook is present upon the back of the king’s neck, likely to adorn him with a necklace or other adornments. The eyes and brows are inlaid glass. It is almost secondary to notice the missing arms of the king, as what grabs you at first is the immaculate craftsmanship of what does remain.

Scans of the statuette show that the crown was actually a removable piece, and that the face of the king was also carved from a separate piece of wood.

The statue was created in celebration for the king’s Sed Festival celebrations. The Sed Festival, also known as Heb Sed or Feast of the Tail) was an ancient Egyptian ceremony that celebrated the continued rule of a pharaoh. The name is taken from the name of an Egyptian wolf god, one of whose names was Wepwawet or Sed.

The statuette was found in Thebes, and dates from approximately, 1390-1352 B.C.

Amenhotep III’s reign was a period of unprecedented prosperity and splendour, when Egypt reached the peak of its artistic and international power, and as such is considered one of Ancient Egypt’s greatest pharaohs. When he died in the 38th or 39th year of his reign, he was succeeded by his son Amenhotep IV, who later changed his name to Akhenaten. (wiki)