Ancient Egyptian, Lower Egypt, Saqqara, 25th Dynasty

This copper-alloy statuette depicts a Nubian king in a striding pose, wearing a shendyt kilt and a skullcap adorned with a double uraeus. He bears a ram’s head necklace and holds a libation vase, symbolizing ritual authority and divine kingship.

The Nubian Kings, often referred to as the ‘Black Pharaohs,’ were rulers from the Kingdom of Kush in Nubia (modern-day Sudan) who reigned over Egypt during the 25th Dynasty (c. 747–656 BCE).

They restored many ancient traditions, revitalized temple building, and emphasized devotion to the god Amun. Kings such as Piye, Shabaka, and Taharqa extended their rule from Nubia into Egypt, creating a powerful empire that stretched from the Nile Delta to the Upper Nile.

Their legacy reflects a period of cultural fusion between Nubian and Egyptian traditions, leaving behind pyramids in Nubia, temples, and monumental inscriptions that highlight their strength and devotion to the gods.