This granite statue exceeds life-size, measuring at approximately 261.9 cm. The structure was carved from granitic stone which, over time, has developed a warm tone. The statue portrays the Pharaoh Hatshepsut, one of ancient Egypt's few female rulers, in traditional male regalia in accordance with Egyptian pharaonic iconographic protocols.
The statue captures Hatshepsut in a kneeling pose, an act indicative of offering two large nu-jugs, symbolic of the primeval waters that the ancient Egyptians credited as the source of life. It has inscriptions in hieroglyphics at the base representing the titulary of Hatshepsut, emphasizing its function as a tool for asserting political ideology.
The artifact originates from the New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, approximately 1473–1458 B.C., a period marked by Hatshepsut’s prosperous rule characterized by advancements in the arts, architecture and military victories. This statue is a notable component of Hatshepsut’s extensive building initiatives.
