<em>Head from a Composite Statue</em>, ca. 1352-1336 B.C.E. Yellow quartzite, pigment, 7 1/16 x 5 11/16 in. (18 x 14.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society, 34.6042. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 34.6042_front_SL1.jpg)

Head from a Composite Statue, ca. 1352-1336 B.C.E. Yellow quartzite, pigment, 7 1/16 x 5 11/16 in. (18 x 14.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society, 34.6042. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 34.6042_front_SL1.jpg)

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Download our app and ask your own questions during your visit. Here are some that others have asked.

Why is the nose always missing?

A popular question! There are two main reasons: Either 1) it chipped off by accident or 2) was chiseled off on purpose.

1) Since the nose sticks out from the face and is a relatively small part of the statue, it might the first thing to hit the ground when the statue falls and easily breaks.

2) By cutting off the nose, the statue could no longer breath, thus ritually killing the statue. An ancient Egyptian person might do this if they hated the person depicted in the statue and wanted to harm their afterlife. And...

This was also a known practice in the early Christian period when warrior monks were trying to stamp out the old religion. "Killing" the statue is easier and faster than totally destroying it.

Thanks for the answers.

Head from a Composite Statue

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Amarna Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

MEDIUM Yellow quartzite, pigment

Place Excavated: Tell el-Amarna, Egypt

DATES ca. 1352-1336 B.C.E.

DYNASTY late Dynasty 18

PERIOD New Kingdom, Amarna Period

DIMENSIONS 7 1/16 x 5 11/16 in. (18 x 14.5 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Amarna Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

EXHIBITIONS

ACCESSION NUMBER 34.6042

CREDIT LINE Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society

RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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CAPTION Head from a Composite Statue, ca. 1352-1336 B.C.E. Yellow quartzite, pigment, 7 1/16 x 5 11/16 in. (18 x 14.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society, 34.6042. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 34.6042_front_SL1.jpg)

IMAGE front, 34.6042_front_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Yellow quartzite head probably of Smenhkare. Apparently from a composite statue. Originally fitted with separate headdress. Condition: Poor. Workmanship of the finest quality. The entire surface extensively chipped. Inlay of eyes and eyebrows missing. Nose missing. Extensive traces of red paint on lips.