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Head and Shoulders of a Sphinx of Hatshepsut

New Kingdom
ca. 1473–1458 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 115
This fragmentary sphinx represents the female pharaoh Hatshepsut. Portions of six granite sphinxes were discovered during the Museum's excavations in the area of Hatshepsut's mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri in Western Thebes. A nearly complete example (31.3.166) is on display in gallery 131. This sphinx still retains substantial blue paint on the royal beard, traces of yellow paint on the pleats of the nemes-headcloth, and small amounts of paint around the eyes.

A smaller sphinx in a different style is also owned by the Museum (31.3.94).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Head and Shoulders of a Sphinx of Hatshepsut
  • Period: New Kingdom
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 18
  • Reign: Joint reign of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III
  • Date: ca. 1473–1458 BCE
  • Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Senenmut Quarry & temple courts, MMA excavations, 1926–28
  • Medium: Granite, paint
  • Dimensions: h. 120.3 cm (47 3/8 in)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1931
  • Object Number: 31.3.167
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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Sphinx of Hatshepsut, Granite, paint
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ca. 1347–1330 BCE
Head from a Statue of King Amenhotep I, Sandstone, paint
Head from a Statue of King Amenhotep I
ca. 1525–1504 BCE
Head of an Osiride Statue of Hatshepsut, Limestone, paint
Head of an Osiride Statue of Hatshepsut
ca. 1473–1458 BCE
Sledge from mortuary complex of Senwosret I, Wood
Sledge from mortuary complex of Senwosret I
ca. 1961–1917 B.C.

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