Mannequin bust of Tutankhamun 3D Printable model version 2

This life-size representation of King Tutankhamun illustrates him from the waist up, adorned in a white linen tunic and a yellow, flat-topped crown. The crown, painted yellow to possibly mimic gold, does not have a clearly defined purpose or type. While the god Amun is depicted with a similar headdress, the absence of a divine beard and the characteristic two feather plumes indicate that this representation is not intended to portray the king in a divine capacity. There is also a depiction of King Akhenaten wearing a similar crown from the Amarna period, but its significance remains unclear. Attached to the front of the crown is a cobra, crafted from gilded wood and painted in black and red, with its tail outlined in red paint and featuring two coils of its body. This cobra symbolizes the goddess Wadjet, who is typically represented as a serpent positioned at the king’s brow, poised to defend him against any potential threats.

The skin of Tutankhamun is rendered in a dark red hue, a traditional choice by ancient Egyptian artists to represent male figures. Additional touches of red paint are applied to the corners of the king’s eyes to enhance their lifelike appearance. The facial characteristics of this model align with the typical features found in three-dimensional portraits of Tutankhamun: the face exhibits a triangular shape with prominent cheekbones, deep indentations between the eyebrows and upper eyelids, naturally shaped eyes with inner-sloping canthi, and lips that display a subtle downward curve. The king’s earlobes are pierced, suggesting they once held earrings. This trait of pierced ears is a hallmark of royal male portraiture from the New Kingdom, with such depictions emerging around the mid-18th Dynasty. Tutankhamun’s mummy confirms that he had pierced ears, and several pairs of earrings were unearthed from his tomb (for instance: JE 61969/Carter 269a(1); JE 61972/Carter 269a(2)).

This artifact was discovered partially concealed among the disassembled chariots in the Antechamber of Tutankhamun’s tomb.