Block Statue of Harsiese, a Priest of Amun and Min
1 of 7
Object Label
Although few private stone statues were made during Dynasty XXI (circa 1070–945 B.C.), Dynasties XXII through XXV (circa 945–653 B.C.) witnessed their revival. Among the first sculptural types to reappear was the block statue, a distinctly Egyptian blending of abstract and naturalistic forms. The broad expanses of these squatting figures' robes often reflect another aspect of Third Intermediate Period art: a penchant for adorning a statue's garments with religious texts, symbols, and scenes.
This statue's main texts invoke Amun and Montu of Thebes on Harsiese's behalf, indicating the sculpture's probable provenance. The scenes of Osiris and of Harsiese adoring a symbol of Osiris are appeals for the perpetual favor of that deity. The statue is dated by details of its form and style. Some elements, such as the plain double wig and long, narrowly opened eyes, began to appear about 780–760 B.C.
Caption
Egyptian. Block Statue of Harsiese, a Priest of Amun and Min, ca. 712–653 B.C.E.. Basalt, Height: 12 1/8 in. (30.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Charles Pratt, 51.15. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.51.15_NegA_print_bw.jpg)
Culture
Title
Block Statue of Harsiese, a Priest of Amun and Min
Date
ca. 712–653 B.C.E.
Dynasty
late Dynasty 25
Period
Third Intermediate Period
Geography
Possible place made: Thebes (Karnak), Egypt
Medium
Basalt
Classification
Dimensions
Height: 12 1/8 in. (30.8 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Pratt
Accession Number
51.15
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.
Frequent Art Questions
I am very intrigued by how in ancient times, everything the a Egyptians created was carved into stone.
Not everything was created in stone. It was a favored material for funerary monuments (like the Pyramids!) and tomb goods. You'll also see objects made of wood and clay in the galleries! And while most of what remains today is in stone, the ancient Egyptians created a lot of work in other materials that aren't in museums simply because they didn't survive.Why did this artist decide to use stone?
The artist decided the use stone because of the commission he would have received from the person who purchased this statue.Stone was a popular material in ancient Egypt for its durability. The idea was for these statues to exist forever.Can you elaborate more on the idea of life after death for eternity?
The ancient Egyptians believed that when you died you were reborn into the afterlife where you continued to live an existence very similar to your everyday life before death. They believed that this second life lasted forever and that the deceased would need supplies from this world to take to the next. Statues of the deceased served as a place the deceased could occupy in times of rest.
Have information?
Have information about an artwork? Contact us at