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Statuette of Amenhotep III (Video)

Did you know that more statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ of Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  have survived compared to any other 18th Dynasty pharaoh 𓉐𓉻? One of the more interesting ones is this statuette of Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž !

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Did you know that more statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ of Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  have survived compared to any other 18th Dynasty pharaoh 𓉐𓉻? This is a very interesting statuette of Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž ! Amenhotep the III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  was the father 𓇋𓏏𓀀 of the infamous pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was originally named Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€, until he changed his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– to reflect the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ and his change to the Egyptian religion. The first thing that struck me about this statuette was the artistic style. It seems to be very grounded in realism, which is odd because most pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 wanted to be depicted as being in peak physical condition. It also illustrates some aspects of Amarna-style art, such as the previously mentioned realism and the sagging/exaggerated belly. This piece almost seems to be a precursor to the Amarna-style. I find these transition-type pieces so interesting because it seems like the Amarna-style art came out of nowhere, however, pieces like this show us that was not the case. The statuette is made of ebony wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 and has glass inlaid eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 and eyebrows. It consists of the pharaoh standing on a base, and the base contains hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the base are thought to refer to one of Amenhotep III’s π“‡³π“§π“Ž  Heb Sed π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“Ž±π“‡³π“ͺ festivals (he ruled for 38 years). The Heb Sed Festival π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“Ž±π“‡³π“ͺ, also known as the β€œ30 Year Jubilee,” was meant to celebrate the 30th year of a pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ and then subsequent years afterwards. The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the base also contain errors, which means it is probably of non-royal production. The exact purpose of the statuette is unknown, but it is thought that it could have been used in a household shrine 𓉐𓏺 to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. Household 𓉐𓏺 statues/shrines actually became popular during the reign of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. This would also support the idea that this was of non-royal production. Follow me to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, Egyptian mythology, art, culture and more! This is my personal video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientEgypt #egyptology #egyptianhistory #egyptianmythology #anticoegitto #brooklynmuseum #amenhotepiii #akhenaten #ancientegyptblog

♬ original sound – ancientegyptblog Nicole Lesar

This is a very interesting statuette of Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž ! Amenhotep the III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  was the father 𓇋𓏏𓀀 of the infamous pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–.  Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was originally named Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€, until he changed his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– to reflect the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ and his change to the Egyptian religion. 

The first thing that struck me about this statuette was the artistic style. It seems to be very grounded in realism, which is odd because most pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 wanted to be depicted as being in peak physical condition. It also illustrates some aspects of Amarna-style art, such as the previously mentioned realism and the sagging/exaggerated belly. 

This piece almost seems to be a precursor to the Amarna-style. I find these transition-type pieces so interesting because it seems like the Amarna-style art came out of nowhere, however, pieces like this show us that was not the case. 

The statuette of Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  is made of ebony wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 and has glass inlaid eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 and eyebrows. It consists of the pharaoh standing on a base, and the base contains hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ.Β 

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the base are thought to refer to one of Amenhotep III’s π“‡³π“§π“Ž  Heb Sed  π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“Ž±π“‡³π“ͺ festivals (he ruled for 38 years). The Heb Sed Festival π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“Ž±π“‡³π“ͺ, also known as the β€œ30 Year Jubilee,” was meant to celebrate the 30th year of a pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ and then subsequent years afterwards. The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the base also contain errors, which means it is probably of non-royal production. 

The exact purpose of the statuette is unknown, but it is thought that it could have been used in a household shrine 𓉐𓏺 to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. Household 𓉐𓏺 statues/shrines actually became popular during the reign of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. This would also support the idea that this was of non-royal production.Β 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

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