Head of a Colossal Statue of Ramesses II in the University of Pennsylvania Museum, November 2009

Head of a Colossal Statue of Ramesses II
Egypt, Abydos
ca. 1290-1224 BC
19th Dynasty
Limestone (restored)

# 69-29-1

Fragments of the head and shoulder of one of a series of figures which originally decorated the the front row of rectangular pillars in the courtyard of a small temple at Abydos. The king is wrapped in the style of the god Osiris, and holds the symbols of kingship, the crook and flail, in his hands (now missing). Since the figure was intended to tower over any human gazing on it from below, the eyes look down. Much of the original color remains.

Text from the U. Penn. Museum label.