Block statue of Prince Mentuherkhepeshef

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During his long reign Ramesses II had ample time and opportunity to father over a hundred children, and one of them was Mentuherkhepeshef, the prince represented here. Mentuherkhepeshef sits on a high base with his legs drawn up to shoulder level and his arms crossed over his knees, exuding an air of elegance and refinement. His body is enveloped in a long mantle, from which only his head and hands emerge, giving him a solid and imposing presence. The statue's compact form was deliberately crafted to withstand the test of time, making it highly unlikely to break or shatter. A closer inspection reveals that the statue has undergone significant modifications over the years. The hieroglyphic inscriptions are clearly a later addition, as evidenced by the glossy smooth sides of the statue, which were abraded to receive the text. Additionally, what was originally a round headdress was recarved to represent the sidelock of youth, a mark of princely status that signified Mentuherkhepeshef's elevated position within the royal family. Mentuherkhepeshef's life is shrouded in mystery, but we do know that he was a skilled army man, with titles such as "officer for horses of the lord of the two lands [the king]" and "first charioteer of his father" proudly bestowed upon him. Unfortunately, Mentuherkhepeshef never became king, as he and many of his brothers died before they could claim the throne. Instead, it fell to Merenptah, Ramesses' thirteenth son. Provenance The statue was discovered in Bubastis, a great temple dedicated to Bastet, and excavated by Edouard Naville for the Egypt Exploration Fund in April 1887. The Egyptian government gifted it to the Egypt Exploration Fund, which subsequently voted to present it to the Museum of Fine Arts on December 22, 1887. The statue officially became part of the MFA's collection on April 1, 1888. Photography and photogrammetry were conducted by Zhejiang University in a meticulous effort to preserve the statue for future generations.