ClassificationsAncient Egyptian Art

Head of Khaemwaset

Place CreatedEgypt, Africa

CultureEgyptian

PeriodNew Kingdom, Dynasty 19, Reign of Ramesses II

Date1279-1213 BCE

MediumBlack granite

Credit LineGift of Mr. Charles S. Ackerman and an anonymous donor

Dimensions13 x 9 x 4 1/2" (33 x 22.9 x 11.4 cm)

Object number2005.007.001

Label TextThis commanding face from a colossal statue undoubtedly belongs to Crown Prince Khaemwaset, the son and heir of Ramesses II. The scale and fine carving of the piece identify it as someone of great importance and the broad face is characteristic of the long reign of Ramesses the Great. The elaborately curled wig flares out just slightly on the right side, indicating where a side lock would be rendered. That hairstyle would identify the owner as High Priest of the god Ptah, an important office occupied by Khaemwaset.

Khaemwaset made many restorations to earlier monuments and for that he is sometimes called the "first archaeologist." Khaemwaset died before his father and did not accede to the throne. He was buried in a vast tomb complex at Saqqara. He became the hero of many later stories and legends, famous for his wisdom and accomplishments.
Exhibition HistoryFrom Pharaohs to Emperors: New Egyptian and Classical Antiquities at Emory, Michael C. Carlos Museum, January 14 - April 2, 2006
MCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, 2006 - Present
Published ReferencesSotheby's New York, Antiquities: Including Property from the Collection of Gustave and Franyo Schindler (December 9, 2004), 116-117, lot 306.
MCCM Newsletter, March - May 2005.
MCCM Newsletter, December 2005 - February 2006.
Peter Lacovara and Jasper Gaunt, "From Pharaohs to Emperors: Egyptian, Near Eastern & Classical Antiquities at Emory," Minerva 17 (January/February 2006): 9-16.
Michael C. Carlos Museum: Highlights of the Collections (Atlanta: Michael C. Carlos Museum, 2011), 20-21.

ProvenanceAcquired by private collector in Kobe, Japan, 1950s. Purchased by MCCM from Sotheby's New York, December 9, 2004, lot 306.

Status

On view

Collections