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Primary sourceSculpturec. 1498-1483 BCE

Statuette of Hatshepsut

c. 1498-1483 BCE

A fragmentary quartz diorite statue head believed to depict Hatshepsut, now in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

A royal statue likeness of Hatshepsut, showing how she was portrayed with traditional pharaonic symbols.

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Sepia photograph of a fragmentary stone statue head with a striated nemes headcloth, a small uraeus fragment at the brow, a calm closed-lipped face, and long banded hair falling at the sides. The statue stands on a metal support against a pale background.
Fragmentary statuette of Hatshepsut, c. 1498-1483 BCE. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

About this source

What it is

This is a fragmentary stone statue head made of quartz diorite, dating to the 18th Dynasty, around the time of Hatshepsut's reign. It shows a striated nemes headcloth, part of a uraeus (royal cobra symbol) at the brow, and a calm expression. It is now held by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Why it matters

Royal statues like this were used to project an idealised, unchanging image of a pharaoh, often repeated across many monuments. Even as a fragment, it shows how Hatshepsut was portrayed with the same royal symbols, such as the nemes headcloth and uraeus, used for male kings before her.

Look closer

  • What royal symbols can you identify on this damaged statue?
  • Why might the face appear so calm and unchanging compared to a photograph of a real person?
  • What might the missing parts of the statue have shown?

This sculpture is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Hatshepsut on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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View of the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, a tiered stone building with long colonnades and ramps set against towering tan limestone cliffs under a clear blue sky. Small figures and a low shelter are visible in the foreground.Artifact

Primary source

Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

Senenmut and/or Hapuseneb (attributed) · c. 1479–1458 BCE

Photograph of a carved sandstone relief panel at Karnak. Columns of hieroglyphs divide the panel. On the left, a figure in a tall crown strides with one arm raised. On the right, a standing figure in a kilt faces left. Blue sky and a palm tree appear at the edge.Photograph

Secondary source

Hatshepsut Dancing Before Min, Karnak Relief

Carole Reeves · 1989

Painted relief on a temple wall showing men carrying a tree in a basket with a pole, between stylized incense trees and a palm, in orange, red and cream colors, with hieroglyphs above and a wave-pattern band below.Sculpture

Primary source

Punt Expedition Reliefs

Royal workshops of Hatshepsut · c. 1470 BCE

Photograph of a dark grey stone sculpture of a head, mounted on a red rectangular pedestal against a white background. The head has a tall, smooth-topped headdress, carved eyes, nose and mouth, and a worn surface. Catalogue label MM 11423 appears at lower right.Sculpture

Primary source

Sculpture Head Probably of Hatshepsut

Photograph of a seated limestone statue of a figure wearing a royal headcloth with a pleated nemes and a false beard-less face, hands resting on the lap, seated on a block with hieroglyphic inscriptions on its side.Sculpture

Primary source

Seated Statue of Hatshepsut

c. 1466 BCE

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