Statue of Ramesses III in the University of Pennsylvania Museum, November 2009

Statue of Ramesses III
Unknown Provenience
Dynasty 20 (reign of Ramesses III, 1187-1156 BCE)
Limestone

# E15727

The youthful king depicted in this statue is identified as Ramesses III in several of the inscriptions that are carved on its surface. Ramesses III was the last of a long line of powerful military pharaohs beginning with Thutmosis III, who reigned earlier in the Eighteenth Dynasty. The figure has a false beard and wears a short wig that ends at his broad collar. His name appears mid-chest and the two protective deities, Wadjet and Nekhbet, flank the left and right sides. His diadem is a simple band with a rearing cobra. A belt with a cartouche encircling his name is atop his short pleated kilt, and a dagger with a double-headed falcon with solar disk is tucked under it. A bracelet is on his right wrist and a cloth is in that hand. His left hand and arm support a lioness-headed staff that he holds in place next to him. On the king’s left side are the remains of the upper part of a figure wearing a tall crown, perhaps a consort, a prince or a queen. The full titulary of Ramesses III is carved on his staff. A back pillar originally had a similar inscription.

Text from the U. Penn. Museum label