Head of an Anthropomorphic Falcon God in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, January 2026

Title: Head of an anthropomorphic falcon god

Period: New Kingdom–Late Period

Date: ca. 1390–332 BCE

Medium: Diorite

Dimensions: H. 23.5 × W. 18 × D. 22 cm, 13.1 kg (9 1/4 × 7 1/16 × 8 11/16 in., 28.9 lb.)

Credit Line: Purchase, Fletcher Fund and The Guide Foundation Inc. Gift, 1966

Object No.: 66.99.72


Deciphering the identity of this battered sculpture poses a challenge due to the lack of an inscribed name, missing iconographic features, and later recarving. The projection (tenon) at the top indicates that he once had a head ornament, which would have helped to signal his identity. The wig’s ridges stretch all the way to the tenon, suggesting that the missing adornment had a narrow base. This would exclude a crown but could allow for a sun disk made from gold or gilded wood. Falcon gods with such a head ornament include Re-Harakhty and Montu.


Text from: www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/divine-egypt/exhibition-objects