Egyptian, from the Great Temple of Amun at Napata, Kush (modern Gebel Barkal, Sudan)
Dynasty 25 (730-663 B.C.

This statue of Tanwetamani (ruled 664-656 B.C.) follows traditions used for almost 3,000 years for Egyptian royal statues: left foot striding forward, hands clenched at the sides, nude except for kilt and jewelry. The space between the body and the arms and legs was left filled with stone, lessening the danger of breakage but also increasing the effect of solidity and mass. The roughened surfaces on sandals, wristlets, and shoulder and chest ornaments were once covered with gleaming gold.

Originally located among the rows of colossal statues of Dynasty 25 and later kings of Egypt and Meroe that lined the roads leading to the Great Temple of Amun, this image of Tanwetamani lost its head when these statues were thrown down and broken in 593 B.C. by an Egyptian army.

Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey, 1949.105