Fragmentary Egyptian head of Amenhotep III

myminifactory

A striking Egyptian Red Granite head of Amenhotep III, dating back to the 18th Dynasty and the reign of this powerful King, circa 1390-1353 B.C., measures a height of 24.4 cm. This intriguing fragment is part of an elaborate statue portraying the Egyptian Monarch, Amenhotep III, who was often depicted larger than life in ancient art. The sculpture masterfully captures the nuances of his facial features, including his full lips, broad nostrils, and almond-shaped eyes with a prominent upper lid that folds over the lower at the outer corner. Additionally, the thick arched tapering eyebrow is skillfully rendered in relief, while a small portion of the nemes-headcloth and ceremonial beard remain intact, complete with an incised beard-strap. This exquisite piece was previously owned by Sotheby's Auction House before being sold at Christie's for a staggering 1,330,000 USD (883,193 GBP), exceeding initial predictions of 150,000 to 250,000 USD (99,608 - 166,014 GBP). Today, it is estimated to be worth a substantial 4 million GBP.