Bust of Amenhotep III (the 'Green Gneiss' Bust)
Sculptural bust from a larger-than-life statue • Royal Sculptors of the Theban Workshop under Amenhotep III
Style & Movement
Ancient Egyptian Art, New Kingdom Amarna-precursor style; characterized by idealized realism and high-polish finish
Medium & Technique
Hardstone carving; polished Green Gneiss (formerly often identified as granodiorite or dark granite)
Creation Period
New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, Reign of Amenhotep III (c. 1390–1352 BC)
Dimensions & Format
Over life-size; approximately 60-70 cm in height; portrait fragment in the round.
Subject Description
A bust portrait of Pharaoh Amenhotep III wearing the Nemes headcloth with a Uraeus. The sculpture features the characteristic almond-shaped eyes, arched eyebrows, and a slight 'archaic' smile typical of the King's later portraits. The composition represents the deification of the living king.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; fragmentary state with losses to the lower torso and left shoulder, but the facial features remain exceptionally well-preserved.
Estimated Market Value
Priceless / Institutional Class; likely exceeding $50,000,000 if ever sold on the open market.
Auction Estimate
Estimate upon request; likely $30,000,000 - $60,000,000 based on the rarity of intact 18th Dynasty royal hardstone busts.
Provenance History
Discovered in the Mut Temple complex at Karnak (Thebes); later acquired for the collection of the British Museum (EA 3) via the Salt Collection or equivalent early 19th-century acquisition.
Art Historical Significance
A masterpiece of the 18th Dynasty, this bust illustrates the pinnacle of craftsmanship in hardstone during the 'Golden Age' of Egypt. It represents the transition toward the more expressive features that would later define the Amarna period under his son, Akhenaten.
Notable Features
The high-gloss polish achieved on the dense gneiss stone; the distinct 'swelling' of the eyes and lips which is a hallmark of Amenhotep III's late sculptural program.
Condition Issues
Significant loss to the lower abdomen and left arm; minor chipping around the edges of the Nemes headcloth; surface weathering consistent with burial.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain controlled humidity and temperature; display in a vibration-neutral case with specialized non-reactive support (metal or acrylic stand) to prevent further stress on the fragment's base.