13th Dynasty

Head of a Middle Kingdom Dignitary or Priest. Met Museum. 02.4.191

Head of a Middle Kingdom Dignitary or Priest

This head was originally part of a colossal (larger than life) statue of a dignitary or priest, dating from approximately 1700–1600 B.C., making it a Middle Kingdom or Early Second Intermediate piece. It is not known if he was seated or standing. Now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, this statue was...

Egyptian Faience Statuette of a Hippopotamus

Faience Statuette of a Hippo

This statuette of a hippo was molded in faience, a crushed quartz glazed and fired at a relatively low temperature. Copper salts in the glaze impart the bright blue or blue-green color so characteristic of faience objects. Over the animal’s naturalistic shape, the craftsman painted lily plants that appear as a giant tattoo. Small sculptures...

Bust of a 13th Dynasty King

Bust of Neferhotep I

Based on the style of this bust, it has been dated to the second half of 13th Dynasty, during the reigns of Userkare Khendjer to Khasekhemre Neferhotep I (ca. 1764-1731 BC). He is one of the most powerful kings of this dynasty. The upper part of this life-sized statue was found at the temple of...

Model of a Soul House

Model of a Soul House

This model from Rifah of the “Soul House” type represents a house with a three-columned portico behind a walled courtyard; in front of the courtyard a libation spout is partly preserved. A stairway on the right gives access to the roof of the house, where an arched opening represents a feature in actual houses through...

Funeral Bed of Osiris. Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 32090

Funeral Bed of Osiris

Osiris on his funeral bed inscribed with the name of king Djedkheperew. The sculpture was tentatively attributed to another 13th Dynasty king, Khendjer, but examinations of the inscriptions proved that it originally bore the name of Djedkheperew. The creative power of the male extended to the world of the gods. In order to be reborn,...

Ka Statue of King Hor Awibre

Ka Statue of King Hor Awibre

This wooden Ka statue with rock-crystal quartz eyes was excavated in 1894 in the tomb of king Hor Awibre or Hor I that was found by a team of excavators under the direction of the archaeologist Jacques de Morgan. His tomb is located north of the pyramid complex of Amenemhat III at Dahshur. The wooden...