This small portrait of Queen Tiye (22.5cm with feathered sun disc crown) was probably produced in the last years of her husband AmenH๏τep III’s reign because the queen is shown at an advanced age.
The original nemes (revealed with C.T scanning) was of silver with a gold uraeus but was covered with several layers of linen which were decorated with small faïence beads creating a ’round crown’ appearance as we see now. Only a few of the blue beads remain at the back, still visible today.
The crown consisting of a sun disc, cow horns and a pair of feathers was added separately, making the entire piece measure at 22.5 cm.
By adding this double feathered sun disc crown to the statue, Akhenaten raised his mother, already in her lifetime, into the realm of a goddess. The crown was rediscovered in the Berlin collection after having been separated from the head for many years.
Queen Tiye was the spouse of King AmenH๏τep III and mother of Akhenaten. After the death of AmenH๏τep III and still in the lifetime of Tiye the head was reworked.
This type of crown in the portrait of Tiye is usually worn by goddesses or deified queens. By adding this crown to the statue, Akhenaten raised his mother, already in her lifetime, into the realm of a goddess. The crown was rediscovered in the Berlin collection after having been separated from the head for many years.
PH๏τograph by Oliver Lang
