Statuette of Amun-Re, King of the Gods
Statuette of Amun-Re, King of the Gods
Artist
Unidentified
Period
New Kingdom Period
(Ancient Egyptian, 1550–1070 BCE)
Dynasty
Dynasty 20
(Ancient Egyptian, 1186–1070 BCE)
Place of OriginEgypt, reportedly from Karnak (Thebes)
Date20th Dynasty (1186-1070 BCE)
Dimensions10 1/4 in. (26 cm)
MediumSolid cast bronze
ClassificationSculpture
Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number
1906.105
On View
Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 02, Classic
DescriptionThis bronze figure of Amun-Ra stands in a striding pose, his left leg advanced. His right arm hangs at his side, the fist drilled to hold a now-lost attribute. The left arm is bent at a right angle, but the forearm and hand are missing. Amun wears a pleated kilt and broad collar, and his face is framed by a divine beard. His tall crown, featuring a sun disk flanked by double plumes, identifies him. The base is inscribed with a dedication in hieroglyphs, which reads:
“Amun-Ra, king of the gods, giver of health, sanctity, and endurance.”
Label TextThis bronze statuette depicts Amun, the chief deity of Thebes, who rose to prominence during the New Kingdom. Amun, often referred to as the “Hidden One,” symbolizes divine kingship, creation, and hidden power. In this representation, he is likely shown wearing his typical crown with twin plumes and a short kilt, underscoring his connection to fertility and rulership. Amun’s importance was further elevated as the principal god of the Theban Triad, alongside his consort Mut and their son Khonsu. The statuette is part of a set that includes Mut (1906.106) and Khonsu (1906.107), forming a complete Theban Triad. The hieroglyphic inscriptions, incised into the wax bases before the statuettes were cast in bronze, though corroded, reveal that all three pieces were commissioned and dedicated by the same individual.Published ReferencesLuckner, Kurt T., "The art of Egypt, Part 2" Toledo Museum of Art Museum News, new series, vol. 14, no. 3, Fall 1971, p. 69, repr. fig. 10.
Peck, William H., Sandra E. Knudsen and Paula Reich, Egypt in Toledo: The Ancient Egyptian Collection at the Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Toledo Museum of Art, 2011, p. 63, repr. (col.).
Exhibition HistoryToledo Museum of Art, The Mummies: From Egypt to Toledo, February 3- May 6, 2018.Old Kingdom, early Dynasty 4, about 2575-2551 BCE.
Old Kingdom, Dynasty 5, about 2400 BCE.
Old Kingdom, early Dynasty 4, about 2575-2551 BCE
Hadrianic (about 130 CE)
Hellenistic Greek, possibly Ptolemaic, about 150-50 BCE
Old Kingdom, Dynasty 5, about 2400 BCE.
about 1500
1st-2nd century CE
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