Egyptian Sculptures

  

"Ka Statues"

Sculptures were a very important feature of the great temples and tombs of ancient Egypt. It was believed that these sculptures filled the place with powerful spiritual qualities.

Some sculptures include descriptions of kings, gods and also symbolic objects starting from the time of the Old Kingdom to the middle of the Roman Period. Egyptian sculpture took the form of statues and reliefs. These were often life-sized. All statues and reliefs were carved into blocks of stone. Some of them were not only carved but also painted with natural minerals such as iron ores (red and yellow colours), copper ores (blue and green colours), soot or charcoal (black) and limestone (white).

Egyptian sculptors were the first people to create life-sized statues and reliefs in stone, copper and wood. They produced detailed images of animals, plants, humans, and even landscapes. Through their sculptures, they recorded the essential elements of their world for eternity. Normally, the kings used reliefs to record victories in battle, royal forces, and religious scenes. Whilst sculptures were usually of kings, gods and goddesses.

Sculptures such as the ‘ka statues’ usually served as funerary art. They accompanied the deceased in burial tombs with the intention of preserving life after death.

The Great Sphinx is the largest sculpture around the world. It is located among the great pyramids of Giza. It is 241 ft long , 63 ft wide, and 66.3 t high. The Great Sphinx is carved out of limestone. As many of you know, it represents a mythical creature known as a sphinx. The sphinx has a lion’s body but a human head. It is believed that the head is that of the King Khafra, who was ruling at that time. I personally believe, that the statue is half lion to symbolize power.

"The Great Sphinx"

References

British Museum, N/A. The British Museum. [online] Available at: <http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/galleries/ancient_egypt/room_4_egyptian_sculpture.aspx> [Accessed 18 May 2014].