He is often regarded as the greatest, most celebrated, and most powerful Pharaoh of the Egyptian Empire and successors and later Egyptians called him the "Great Ancestor." Rameses was aged 25 when he ascended the throne and ruled Egypt for 67 years.
When in his thirtieth year of ruling he was promoted to a living god, Rameses wanted the buildings to reflect his status. Among the most notable structures he created are those at the Great Temple of Abu Simbel, where Rameses sits next to his fellow gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah.
This exquisite sculpture is a replica of the seated Rameses statue which was at the door of the Temple. The original statue is located in the ancient Wawat (or the legendary Ybsambul) in Nubia, near the borders of Sudan.
The sculpture shows an idealised image of Rameses as a young man, with high cheek-bones and smooth skin. His eyebrows arch gently over wide, almond-shaped eyes. His nose is straight and well- defined and his full lips are set in a serene smile. Jutting below his chin is the rectangular false beard traditionally worn by royalty.
Rameses also wears the nemes or royal head-dress. The stone head-dress of the statue is surmounted by a diadem or headband in the shape of a uraeus - a rearing cobra and on top of his head Rameses wears a modus crown.
Height: 320mm
Width: 95mm
Depth: 140mm