Amenemhat III's 46.5 cm hollow-cast bronze bust from Hawara showcases early thick-walled casting with inlays and silver sheets.
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Copper alloy bust 46.5 cm high from Hawara Faiyum Middle Kingdom 12th Dynasty. Head and bust hollow-cast together thick-walled up to 1 cm. Recessed ring 3.5-4.5 cm below for insetting into lower body. Arms cast separately fixed by tangs in shoulder grooves right arm remnant in place. Recessed rim around head holds separately cast lost-wax royal headcloth. Eyes inlaid rock crystal cornea left pupil missing right pupil painted black dot. Temples inlaid with silver or electrum strips right one partially intact. Nipples inlaid right extant left missing. Silver rivets fix sheet over bust remnants on torso and back. Casting fissures show early thick metal challenges. Headcloth deeply fissured lower right lappet reattached left missing. Uraeus cast separately gold-inlaid with garnet eye hood had seven gold inlays. Amenemhat III transformed Faiyum swamps built Dahshur and Hawara pyramids. Bust likely from Hawara funerary ensemble buried in Hyksos period. Represents central figure of group with consort possibly wood core over precious metal. Depicts ageing king with sunken cheeks direct psychological realism. Epitomizes end-of-dynasty style absolute monarch promising protection.

Egypt Antiquity Technology

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