Exceptional head of Egyptian deity could go for £4m

An Egyptian brown quartzite head of the god Amun, its features reminiscent of the pharaoh Tutankhamen, a device used to align the ruling king with deities, will lead Christie’s sale of exceptional treasures in London.

The head was once part of a statue of Amun, the most important deity of the New Kingdom – and I hope it will inspire readers to visit the new Discovering Ancient Egypt exhibition at Montrose Museum, which runs to September 7 with free entry.

The head dates to the 18th dynasty, reign of Tutankhamen, circa 1333-1323 BC.

Its distinctive crown, which would have been surmounted by tall double feathers, is part of the god’s iconography.

More than 3,000 years old, this exceptional representation of the king, which is about a foot high, will be sold from the Resandro Collection, one of the

world’s most renowned private collections of Egyptian art, part of which was dispersed in 2016 by Christie’s for in excess of £3 million.

The facial features – the full mouth with slightly drooping lower lips, and almondshaped, slanted eyes, with a deep depression between the eyes and eyebrows – are those of Tutankhamen. Similar representations of Amun, also with facial features of the young king, were carved for the temple of Karnak in Upper Egypt.

Tutankhamen was nine years old when he became pharaoh and reigned between 1333 and 1323BC.

This period is considered the golden age of ancient Egypt, not only in terms of regional and cultural influence, but also because of the incomparable beauty and quality of the art produced then.

The head is expected to realise more than £4m when it goes under the hammer – so to speak – on Thursday.

Picture: Head of the god Amun (Christie’s).