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Ram's head

1029.jpg

This splendid bust of a ram with curving horns and stylized mane is placed on an inscribed pedestal. The top of the pedestal is marked by a cavetto cornice and a torus moulding. The front has a shallow incised decoration of Amenhotep I in front of an offering stand. He is identified as "Amenhotep of Karoi", meaning of southern Nubia. Other inscriptions mention the "priest of Amun of Karnak with right of access, the scribe of the barn of the temple of Amun, Penta-weret" as the donor of the statue. The offering formula mentions, of course, "Amun-Re, the Ruler of Thebes", appearing in this statue in his form of a ram. The ram's head apparently played a special role during certain festivals in Thebes. It served as the hieroglyph for "majesty, respect", especially used for Amun. This majestic, monumental votive gift, a donation from Penta-weret to honour the deified king Amenhotep I in the temple of Amun at Karnak, is one of the more important creations of the later Ramesside Period.

Present location

KUNSTHISTORISCHES MUSEUM [09/001] VIENNA

Inventory number

1029

Dating

20TH DYNASTY

Archaeological Site

UNKNOWN

Category

UNSPECIFIED

Material

SERPENTINITE

Technique

HEWN; CARVED; ENGRAVED

Height

17 cm

Width

8.3 cm

Depth

9.3 cm

Bibliography