Kushite Queen Amanishakheto (African Queens Textured Art)

Mixed Media Portrait of Queen Amanishakheto: Celebrating African Queens and Heritage

🤎 Measures 120 x 30 cm

🤎 Mixed media artwork on canvas

🤎 Complimentary UK local delivery

🤎  Please allow one week for local delivery

Step into the magnificent world of ancient African Queens with this breathtaking painting of Queen Amanishakheto, the legendary Kushite ruler whose name echoes through archaeological sites across Sudan. This extraordinary piece by renowned African artist Jedidah transforms your space into a gallery of royal heritage, perfectly suited for Black history month art collections and year-round celebration of Black history month UK heritage.

Discover the archaeological wonder of Queen Amanishakheto, whose reign (circa 10 BCE - 1 CE) left an indelible mark across the Kushite landscape. She is mentioned in the Amun-temple of Kawa, on a stela from Meroe, in inscriptions of a palace building found at Wad Bannaqa, from a stela found at Qasr Ibrim, another stela from Naqa and in her pyramid at Meroe. The Amun Temple of Naqa was likely begun during her reign and represents one of the most impressive structures at the site. This powerful queen undertook ceremonial journeys to sacred temples including Kawa, Gebel Barkal, and Naga, establishing her divine authority across the kingdom.

The striking vertical format of this 120cm x 30cm canvas mirrors the towering majesty of ancient Kushite pyramids and temple obelisks, creating an commanding presence that draws the eye upward—perfect for modern spaces where impactful African Wall Art makes a bold statement without overwhelming the room. The narrow, elongated format allows this piece to grace hallways, beside doorways, or create stunning gallery walls alongside other vertical artworks.

What makes this piece extraordinary is the authentic African Ankara fabric—a treasured gift from the artist's mother, known as "Zambia" in Shona culture. This multi-purpose cloth, traditionally worn around the waist and used for carrying babies or as seating mats, carries generations of African women's wisdom directly into your home. Combined with newspaper print and dimensional jewelry elements, the mixed media approach creates a textural richness that captures both ancient majesty and contemporary artistic vision.

The Kingdom of Kush, where Amanishakheto reigned, holds special significance in biblical history. The African Queens known as Kandakes (Candaces) ruled this prosperous empire that biblical scholars connect to the "Ethiopia" mentioned throughout scripture. The Candaces of Meroe were referenced in Acts 8:27 of the Bible, highlighting the matriarchal history of Africa in the establishment of Christianity on the continent. This connection between African Queens and biblical narrative adds profound spiritual dimension to the artwork.

Buried in the Northern Cemetery of Meroe, Amanishakheto was placed to rest in one of the largest pyramids in the compound, testament to her extraordinary power. Though treasure hunter Giuseppe Ferlini destroyed much of her tomb in 1834, surviving artifacts reveal a queen who commanded immense wealth and respect. New discoveries include Canaanite jewelry, metal scrap, and decorated vessels belonging to wine services, some referencing goddesses Bastet, Neith, Hathor, and Anat/Astarte.

This piece serves as perfect art for Black History Month, honoring the sophisticated civilizations that flourished in Africa millennia before European contact. The African artist Jedidah has created more than decoration—this is a portal to understanding the remarkable women who shaped ancient history, making it ideal for educators, collectors, and anyone seeking meaningful Black history month UK representation in their space.

The vertical format offers practical advantages for contemporary living: it creates the illusion of higher ceilings, fits beautifully in narrow spaces, and can be grouped with other vertical pieces for dramatic effect. Whether displayed individually or as part of the complete four-piece African Queens collection, this artwork transforms any environment into a celebration of African heritage and feminine power.

Explore the complete "Out of Africa" range and discover how this Black history month art can elevate your space while honoring the incredible legacy of African Queens who changed the world.

This painting is part of a four-piece collection. For a quote on the full collection or more information about Queen Amanishakheto, please contact Jedidah. Explore more African Queens in the “Out of Africa” range and celebrate the beauty and strength of African women through art.  It makes a beautiful addition to any collection of Women art paintings.

To hear more about Jedidah’s inspiration, click here.