Description
Despite the monumental achievements of the Old Kingdom’s Pyramid Age, few images of its rulers survive. This head has been identified as King Userkaf, the first king of Dynasty 5. Userkaf built a modest pyramid at Saqqara and a temple to the sun god Ra at Abusir. According to later tradition, the first three kings of Dynasty 5 were the children of Ra himself and a mortal woman. From Userkaf’s reign on, the kings of Egypt were called "Sons of Ra." Here, Userkaf wears the two basic items of regalia that identify him as king: the tall, conical White Crown of Upper (southern) Egypt, and the royal false beard.
Provenance
Formerly in the collection of Prince Mohammed Ali, Cairo. (?-1950); E. G. Massey, Geneva (1950-1972); Marianne Maspero, Paris, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art (1972-1979); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1979-)
Accession Number
1979.2
Medium
painted limestone
Dimensions
Overall: 6.5 x 7.2 cm (2 9/16 x 2 13/16 in.); Face: 4.8 x 4.8 cm (1 7/8 x 1 7/8 in.)
Classification
Sculpture
Credit Line
Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund