Mentuhotep II was the ruler who reunified Egypt after the period of turmoil during the First Intermediate Period. The statue was discovered in the burial chamber of the ruler's temple at Deir el Bahari. The ruler is depicted in the traditional pose of the ancient Egyptian kings seated on a throne wearing the typical Jubilee costume. His hands are crossed on his chest and on his head he wears the red crown of Lower Egypt and a sacred beard. The black colour of the statue recalls that of the skin of Osiris, god of the dead, and was a symbol of death and rebirth.