ticketsMember | Make a donation
Français

Sphinx de Sésostris III

Middle Kingdom
ca. 1878–1840 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 111
Le sphinx égyptien allie un corps de lion à une tête humaine, et souvent, comme ici, à une queue de taureau. Il représente la puissance royale dans sa forme la plus formidable ; on y recourait donc souvent pour protéger les entrées des palais et des temples. Ce sphinx est unique en ce que le sculpteur a tiré profit des veines de la pierre pour mettre en valeur le corps du lion. La tête souligne le caractère redoutable du pharaon Sésostris III. Sous la barbe rituelle est gravée la façade d’un palais (serekh) comportant le nom dit d’Horus du roi (DIVIN DE FORMES) et son nom de trône (BRILLANTES SONT LES FORCES DE VIE [kas ] DE RÊ ).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Titre: Sphinx de Sésostris III
  • Période: Moyen Empire, XIIe dynastie
  • Date: v. 1878–1840 av. J.-C.
  • Aire géographique: Thèbes, Karnak
  • Technique: Gneiss
  • Dimensions: 42,5 x 29,3 x 73 cm
  • Crédits: Don d’Edward S. Harkness, 1917
  • Accession Number: 17.9.2
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Haremhab as a Scribe of the King, Granodiorite
Haremhab as a Scribe of the King
ca. 1336–1323 B.C.
Male god, Granodiorite
Male god
ca. 1390–1352 B.C.
Relief with the Head of Amenhotep I, Limestone
Relief with the Head of Amenhotep I
ca 1525–1504 B.C.
Attendants in a Procession, Limestone, paint
Attendants in a Procession
ca. 1353–1336 B.C.
Akhenaten Sacrificing a Duck, Limestone, paint
Akhenaten Sacrificing a Duck
ca. 1353–1336 B.C.

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Showing 4 of 24

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.