Trial Piece with Relief of Head of Akhenaten

Trial Piece with Relief of Head of Akhenaten, New Kingdom, Amarna Period, Dynasty 18, ca. 1353-1336 B.C., From Egypt, Middle Egypt, Amarna (Akhetaten), Petrie/Carter excavations, 1891-92, Limestone, H. 35 cm (13 3/4 in.), w. 23.4 cm (9 3/16 in.); d. 4.9 cm (1 15/16 in.), The slanting slitted eye, heavy everted lips, and drooping chin here recognizably signify the pharaoh Akhenaten. This piece is a 'sculptor's model' from Amarna. Such models are roughly rectangular slabs of stone on which the representation is theorized to be a master's model for his assistants to follow while decorating a wall with relief or, alternatively, an apprentice's study piece. (Photo by: Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images). (Photo by: Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)