Mohenjo-daro (lit. Mound of the Dead); situated in the province of Sindh; Pakistan; was one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. Built around 2600 BC; it was one of the world's earliest major urban settlements; existing at the same time as the civilizations of ancient Egypt; Mesopotamia; and Crete. The archaeological ruins of the city are designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In 1927; a seated male figure; 17.5 cm tall; was found in a building with unusually ornamental brickwork and a wall-niche. Though there is no evidence that priests or monarchs ruled the city; archeologists dubbed this dignified figure a 'Priest-King'; and; like the 'Dancing Girl'; it has become symbolic of the Indus valley civilization.

The bearded sculpture wears a fillet around the head; an armband; and a cloak decorated with trefoil patterns that were originally filled with red pigment.

The two ends of the fillet fall along the back; and though the hair is carefully combed towards the back of the head; no bun is present. The flat back of the head may have held a separately carved bun; as is traditional on the other seated figures; or it could have held a more elaborate horn and plumed headdress.

Two holes beneath the highly stylized ears suggest that a necklace or other head ornament was attached to the sculpture. The left shoulder is covered with a cloak decorated with trefoil; double circle and single circle designs that were originally filled with red pigment. Drill holes in the center of each circle indicate they were made with a specialized drill and then touched up with a chisel.

The eyes are deeply incised and may have held inlay. The upper lip is shaved; and a short combed beard frames the face. The large crack in the face may be due to weathering; or it may be a result of the original firing of this object.