Bust of a King in the Brooklyn Museum, March 2010

Life Size (or Slightly Over) Head of a King

Egypt's Ptolemaic rulers were of Macedonian Greek origin. Focal points of both the Egyptian and their own Hellenistic Greek civilizations, they could be shown as either Egyptian or Hellenistic kings and queens. The facial style of this bust, a totally Egyptian image of a Ptolemy, perhaps Ptolemy II (285/82–246 B.C.), had its origins in numerous idealizing images of the fourth century B.C. akin to some of the works in this gallery.


Medium: Limestone

Place Made: Benha il-Assel, Egypt

Dates: early 3rd century B.C.E.

Period: Ptolemaic Period

Dimensions: 17 1/2 x 13 3/4 x 7 1/2 in. (44.5 x 34.9 x 19.1 cm)

Collections: Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Museum Location: This item is on view in Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity, 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

Accession Number: 37.37E

Credit Line: Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Text from: www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/3946/Life_S...