ple like the pharaoh, built to adorn that persons burial tomb. In making these funerary statues, "sculpture in the round served the important function of creating an image of the deceased that could serve as an abode for the ka, should the mummy be destroyed Thus, too, permanence of style and material was essentialstone was the primary material." (Gardner, 75) Thus, the same "permanence" and "sculpture in the round" used for the outside of the pyramids and the guardian Sphinx was also put to work for statues like this one of King Khafre.This particular ka statue of King Khafre Seated is only one out of the original twenty-three from the pharaohs burial tomb of the valley temple, at Giza. (Met.) King Khafres reign was one of great royalty and splendor; not only did the pharaoh commission grandiose monuments that extended into the sky, but he also had multiple funerary statues in his likeness built for the use of his ka once he was dead and placed inside valley temple. Although the individual artists of these ka statues are unknown, they all portrayed Khafre in the same basic way. This specific artist carved out of dark graywacke in order to capture the naturalistic, yet idealized, form of King Khafre, and, in doing so showcased his own expertise as a craftsman. The artist captured the royalty of the king by dressing this nearly life-size replica in the traditional kilt, fake beard, and linen headdress. "As befitting a divinity, Khafre is shown with a well - developed, flawless body and a perfect face." This being accomplished through a combination of the accomplished craftsman and the smooth, richness of the dark stone that Khafre is sculpted from. The statue was built a"canon of ideal proportions, designated as appropriate for the representation of imposing majesty" (Gardner, 75) Another identifying feature of the pharaoh can be found on the unusually back-less throne that the Khafre figure sits on. It is decorated "with th...
