The sculpture “Khafre Enthroned” is an ancient Egyptian artwork, dating back to around 2570 BC and attributed to the Old Kingdom period. The dimensions of this portrait sculpture are 168 cm in height and 57 cm in width. Currently, the artwork is housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt.
This artwork portrays Pharaoh Khafre, who reigned during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, seated with a regal and composed posture. The sculpture is crafted from a single block of diorite, a durable, hard stone, which has helped it to survive through the millennia. Khafre is depicted with a ceremonial false beard and a nemes headcloth, both signifying his royal status. The throne is decorated with intertwined lotus and papyrus plants, symbolic of the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under his rule. The falcon god Horus is shown protectively embracing Khafre’s head, indicating the pharaoh’s divine patronage and legitimizing his sovereignty. The idealized features and composed countenance reflect ancient Egyptian artistic conventions and the timeless nature of their rulers. Despite the passage of time, the craftsmanship and state of preservation of this sculpture remain impressive, giving us a glimpse into the artistic talent and cultural reverence of ancient Egypt.
