Alabaster Head

Alabaster head of a king, often assumed to be Khefren.

Alabaster head of a king, often assumed to be Khefren.
Source: Ziegler, Art Egyptien, p. 219.

Although uninscribed, there are several indications that this head belonged to a statue of Khefren.
The fact alone that it comes from Giza and that it is clearly a representation of a king, would point to one of the three kings who built a pyramid there: Kheops, Khefren or Mykerinos.
A comparison with known statues of Kheops and Mykerinos immediately shows that their statues were executed in a different style than this, making it quite unlikely that the Alabaster Head belonged to either king.
Among the many remains found near that mastaba were several items inscribed with the name of Khefren. This again would point to Khefren as the king represented here.

The king is represented with narrow eyes, a narrow nose and a fairly small nose. The nose is partially damaged, and only the lobe of the king's right ear is still present. The eyebrows are clearly marked.
He wears the nemes headdress, most of which has been lost. A uraeus on his brow indeed confirms his royal status, as well as the remains of a false beard.


© Jacques Kinnaer 1997 - 2023