19th Dynasty statue
- Gallery: Room 4
- Culture: 19th Dynasty
- Date: 1280BC (circa)
- Object type: statue
- Materials: granite
- Museum number: EA67
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
Listen to the free audio guide
About this object
Before you is an impressive fragment of a red granite statue representing Pharaoh Ramses II. This upper part reveals the meticulously crafted visage of one of Egypt’s most celebrated rulers. Despite missing sections, including the middle of the statue and the left elbow, the workmanship is striking—smoothly polished stone with carefully incised details on the king’s regalia.
Ramses wears a curled wig crowned by a double crown and a royal uraeus, the sacred cobra symbol of sovereignty. His ceremonial beard extends from the chin, while a wide, beaded collar circles his neck. Small hollows at the corners of his mouth and defined cheekbones create a dignified, lifelike expression.
Inscription on the back pillar highlights titles like “Rich in years and Great of Victories.” The arms bear inscriptions with his birth and throne names. This sculpture was once part of a towering figure from the Temple of Khnum at Elephantine, a city with deep religious significance to ancient Egyptians.
See it in person
19th Dynasty statue is on display in Room 4 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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