Fragment of a Royal Head, Probably Apries

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Although in fragmentary condition, this piece is a royal image of the highest artistic quality. The sculptor, a master of working hard stones, differentiated with superb sensitivity the various surfaces of the bulging metal helmet, the leather of the strips or cap that the king wore under the helmet, and the fleshy facial features. Surviving images of Dynasty 26 kings are rare, generally small, and often fragmentary. This over-lifesize fragment probably came from a seated statue of the energetic pharaoh, Apries. Kings of Dynasty 26 were constantly involved in conflicts with surrounding kingdoms, particularly those northeast of Egypt. Despite some successes, a foreign defeat combined with growing internal tensions led to Apries' overthrow by the usurper, Amasis, after nineteen years on the throne; what remains of this image of Apries may be the result of willful destruction.

Egyptian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met collection of ancient Egyptian art consists of approximately 30,000 objects of artistic, historical, and cultural importance, dating from about 300,000 BCE to the 4th century CE. A signifcant percentage of the collection is derived from the Museum's three decades of archaeological work in Egypt, initiated in 1906 in response to increasing interest in the culture of ancient Egypt.

Metropolitan Museum of Art