A Phalanx of Pharaohs assemble to greet visitor at the Turn-of-the-Century Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Big ones, little ones, stone ones, wooden ones: they are all impressive, commanding, powerful: meant to display the best attributes of the Divine Pharaoh King. They are also beautiful.
Here we see King Menkaure (who reigned in the late 2500's BC) in a "triad" sculpture alongside two goddesses, Hathor and Bat. He wears the conical crown of an Upper Egypt king. The trio is carved in grey-green schist and it was found in Giza in 1908. It was carved between 2530 and 2494 BC.
One of the more famous pharaohs is Ramses II (reigned 1279-1213 BC)—whose tomb complex I will visit in the days to come. He is considered at the top of the list of powerful warrior-kings.
One of the more striking pieces I saw today is this unfinished head of the female "King" Hatshepsut. She was the daughter of Thutmose I, married to Thutmose II (her half brother), and the Queen Regent to her infant son, Thutmose III—who came to the throne at the age of two. After a few years, Hatshepsut made herself "King," co-pharaoh with her young son. She adopted the titles, dress, even the false beard of the male pharaohs, yet she was still depicted as beautiful.
One of the standout pieces in the Egyptian Museum is this sculpture, "Khafre Enthroned." Khafre (reigned circa 2570 BC) was buried in the second largest pyramid in Giza. The Great Sphinx is part of this burial complex, thus the lion's face represents Khafre. This impressive sculpture is meant to convey power and divine kingship. It is carved of diorite, a material which is so hard, it probably required diamonds to carve it. Egyptologists remain uncertain how the Ancient Egyptians managed to carve such an impressive piece.
Of course the most famous king (to the modern public) is the boy-pharaoh, King Tutankhamun (reigned 1333-1323 BC), whose grave was discovered in 1922. His sublime funeral mask, casket and sarcophagus is on display in the Egyptian museum (along with his jewelry and other priceless trinkets). Alas, the public is not allowed to photograph anything from that collection.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248