Egypt, New Kingdom (1540–1069 BCE), Dynasty 18, reign of Amenhotep III (1390–1352 BCE) / c. 1391–1353 BCE
Head of Amenhotep III Wearing the Round Wig
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Head of Amenhotep III Wearing the Round Wig as sculpture (Egypt, New Kingdom (1540–1069 BCE), Dynasty 18, reign of Amenhotep III (1390–1352 BCE) · c. 1391–1353 BCE).
Amenhotep wears a chin strap that would have held up a false beard.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as brown quartzite.
The museum's collection notes: Although he must have been nearly 50 years old when this portrait was carved, Amenhotep III appears more youthful than ever. Over a round, curly wig he wears a diadem with side streamers adorned with cobras bearing sun disks on their heads. The stone quartzite was associated with the sun on account of its ruddy hues, ranging in color from brown to red to purple. It was a favorite of Amenhotep III, the king who called himself the "dazzling sun-disk of all lands."
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtHead of Amenhotep III Wearing the Round WigOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.