Egyptian Nefertiti Bust Value Guide

This vintage alabaster bust captures the iconic likeness of Queen Nefertiti, the Great Royal Wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten, whose 18th Dynasty reign sparked a religious revolution. Produced between 1920 and 1950, these Egyptian-made carvings became popular souvenirs following the 1912 discovery of the original Thutmose bust in Amarna.

What affects the value of Egyptian Nefertiti Bust?

• The quality and intricacy of the hand-carving, particularly the symmetry of the facial features.
• The presence of natural color variations or banding within the alabaster stone.
• Physical condition, specifically the absence of chips or cracks in the delicate crown and neck areas.
• Historical provenance or labels indicating its origin from early 20th-century Egyptian workshops.

How to Identify Egyptian Nefertiti Bust?

• Examine the material for the characteristic translucent, milky veining unique to natural Egyptian alabaster.
• Look for hand-carved details in the tall flat-topped crown and the distinct facial features modeled after the Berlin museum original.
• Check the base for signs of mid-century aging or specific 'Made in Egypt' markings common for the 1920-1950 era.
• Verify the weight, as genuine alabaster is significantly heavier than modern resin or plaster reproductions.

History of Egyptian Nefertiti Bust

Queen Nefertiti, whose name means 'the beautiful one has come,' was an Egyptian queen and the Great Royal Wife of Akhenaten, an Egyptian Pharaoh. Nefertiti and her husband were known for a religious revolution, in which they started worshipping only one god, the Aten, or sun disc. She ruled during the 18th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt and was a powerful figure, sometimes depicted in artwork with the same power and authority as a king. The original bust of Nefertiti was discovered in 1912 in Amarna, Egypt, and is now housed in the Neues Museum in Berlin. It is one of the most iconic symbols of ancient Egypt, inspiring countless reproductions and artistic interpretations.