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Sakhmet
Dynasty 18, reign of Amenhotep III
(ca. 1390-1353 b.c.), ca. 1390-1353 B.C.
Granodiorite, h. 81 1/2 in.
Gift of Henry Walters, 1915
15.8.3

Perhaps because she is such a renowned hunter, ancient Egyptians associated the lioness with several goddesses who had violent sides to their natures. The most prominent of these was Sakhmet (SOCK-met), goddess of war, violent storms, and pestilence. Her name means "the powerful one."

This lifesize figure depicts Sakhmet seated on a throne. Her body is that of a young woman wearing anklets, bracelets, a collar necklace, and a formfitting dress. Because she was the daughter of the sun god, Sakhmet wears a sun disk on her headdress, in front of which rears the uraeus. In her right hand is an ankh, the symbol of life, held almost exclusively by gods. The potentially awkward transition from human body to animal head is skillfully covered by the long wig. The stylized lion's mane, an attribute of the male lion, was a symbol of power used regardless of gender.

Even the most violent Egyptian deities had a gentle side. The serenity, beauty, and majesty of these statues suggest that Sakhmet's awesome powers have been appeased and turned from devastation to protection. That is precisely the function of such figures. At least six hundred of them were commissioned by Amenhotep III to honor Sakhmet and were placed in the precincts of a temple to the great goddess Mut (rhymes with "hoot") at Karnak.

Notice: identifying features, costume, expression, pose, material

Discuss: symbolism, function

Compare with: Statue of Hatshepsut and Sphinx of Senwosret III

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