Head and Shoulders of a Sphinx of Hatshepsut

New Kingdom

ca. 1479–1458 B.C.

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

Overview

Provenance

References

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. 1479–1458 B.C.
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

More Artwork

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Sphinx of Hatshepsut, Granite, paint — Sphinx of Hatshepsut
ca. 1479–1458 B.C.

Hatshepsut in a Devotional Attitude, Granite, paint — Hatshepsut in a Devotional Attitude
ca. 1479–1458 B.C.

Large Kneeling Statue of Hatshepsut, Granite — Large Kneeling Statue of Hatshepsut
ca. 1479–1458 B.C.

Doorjamb from a Temple of Ramesses II, Granite — Doorjamb from a Temple of Ramesses II
ca. 1279–1213 B.C.

Head from an Osiride Statue of Hatshepsut, Limestone, paint — Head from an Osiride Statue of Hatshepsut
ca. 1479–1458 B.C.

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