Scarab with sphinx

Late Period

ca. 664–525 B.C.

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 130

The scarab’s base shows a recumbent sphinx facing to the right, wearing a royal beard and a broad collar. A sun disk is placed above his head. The sphinx holds the hes vase, the hieroglyph for praise, on his front paws. The sphinx, like the horse or the bull, is one of the animals that symbolizes the king. Above the creature’s back is the sign of life (ankh). The entire composition thus expresses praise to the Lord of Life, probably referring to the sun god (Re) given the presence of the solar disk above the sphinx.

Artwork Details

Overview

Translation

Provenance

Title: Scarab with sphinx
Period: Late Period
Dynasty: Dynasty 26
Date: ca. 664–525 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt
Medium: Steatite
Dimensions: L. 1.1 × W. 0.8 × H. 0.5 cm (7/16 × 5/16 × 3/16 in.)
Credit Line: Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926
Object Number: 26.7.478
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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