ClassificationsAncient Egyptian Art

Trial Piece

Place ExcavatedAmarna, Egypt, Africa

CultureEgyptian

PeriodNew Kingdom, Dynasty 18, Reign of Akhenaten

Date1353-1336 BCE

MediumLimestone, paint

Credit LineEgyptian Purchase Fund

Dimensions3 7/8 x 4 1/2 x 3/4 in. (9.8 x 11.4 x 1.9 cm)

Object number1998.010

Label TextAkhenaten and his queen, the famous Nefertiti, established a new capital at the site of Tell el-Amarna in Middle Egypt. His religious revolution promoted the worship of the Aten, the sun disk, above all other gods and instigated an artistic revolution. Large numbers of artists had to be trained in the new style. This trial relief is a practice piece showing a deft hand in rendering the slanted almond-shaped eye and elaborate wig typical of the period. In order not to waste the stone, the artist used the reverse side to render a carving of a hand holding a fan.
Exhibition HistoryMCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, October 6, 2001 - Present
Published ReferencesCharles Ede Ltd., Egyptian Sculpture XXV: Small Sculpture from Ancient Egypt (Undated), lot 6.
Michael C. Carlos Museum: Highlights of the Collections (Atlanta: Michael C. Carlos Museum, 2011), 18.

Terms

ProvenanceSaid to have been excavated by Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie (1853-1942), Tel el-Amarna, Egypt. Ex private collection, Netherlands, from early 20th Century. Purchased by MCCM from Charles Ede Ltd., London, England.

Status

On view

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