| Egyptian Journal of Archeological and Restoration Studies

Authors:
Al-Sharkawy, M. & Fawzi, T.
Egyptology dept, Faculty of Arts, Minufiyeh Univ., Egypt

Abstract:
This article discusses an unpublished granite votive bust of an unidentified individual, acci-dentally found by a resident in Kafr Tabluha, Tala City, located in the Minufiyeh Governorate in the south-central Nile Delta. Dating back to the 26th dynasty, the artifact is currently housed in the museum store at Tell Basta in the Sharqia Governorate. Regrettably, the lower portion of the statue, including part of the dorsal pillar, has been lost. Standing at just over 10 cm in height, this bust exemplifies the artistic hallmarks of the Saite period, especially during the reign of King Psamtik II. The finely sculpted torso and meticulously detailed facial features reflect the period's commitment to naturalism and precision in craftsmanship, offering a striking portrayal of the period's distinctive artistic style. This study explores three key questions: the identity of the figure, his social status, and his role or occupation. While these aspects remain inconclusive, stylistic analysis and the surviving fragment of the inscription suggest that the figure was likely a high-ranking member of the priestly class, possibly associated with the fourth nome of the Delta or a neighbouring region. The object’s significance is further underscored by a rare "Saite formula"—a distinctive feature not commonly found on similar statues. Additionally, the bust exhibits an intriguing fusion of tripartite and bipartite design elements in the torso, a rare stylistic combination strongly linked to the artistic conventions of Psamtik II’s period

Keywords:
26th dynasty Saite formula Bipartition Kafr Tabluha Minufiyeh Psamtik II Tala

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