Dating back to 1353-1336 BCE, this colossal double statue is a significant artifact housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. This pair from Egypt's 18th dynasty is executed in limestone, and presents an authoritative depiction of Pharaoh Amenhotep III alongside his queen, Tiye.
The statue portrays the royal pair seated, each with their hands resting on their knees – a typical pose denoting sovereignty. The facial characteristics of the couple are realistically depicted, with the king's mature and benevolent expression contrasting with the queen's youthful features, revealing their distinctive royal identities.
Garments and adornments have been meticulously sculpted on both figures, reflecting their status. Pharaoh Amenhotep III dons a traditional nemes headdress, uraeus, and false beard, while Queen Tiye, portrayed with her characteristic hairstyle, is represented with a vulture headdress, symbolizing her role as the divine mother of Egypt. The throne is decorated with a wide array of symbols, including the cartouches of Pharaoh and Queen, the protective shen signs of eternal life, and other detailed hieroglyphs.
The artifact's color scheme adheres to standard ancient Egyptian conventions: reddish-brown tones for the male figure and lighter hues for the female figure. These features, complemented by detailed glyphs, enhance the artifact’s authenticity.
An interesting aspect of this piece is the equal scale representation of the king and queen, suggesting the significant influence of Queen Tiye during Amenhotep III’s reign. This departure from the common portrayal of queen-consorts suggests the nuanced power dynamics within the 18th Dynasty.
