ClassificationsAncient Egyptian Art

Sphinx Amulet

Possible OriginSudan, Africa

Possible OriginEgypt, Africa

CultureEgyptian

PeriodLate Period, Dynasty 25

Date722-655 BCE

MediumFaience

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. William B. Astrop

Dimensions1 1/4 x 3/4 x 5/16 in. (3.2 x 1.9 x 0.8 cm)

Object number2004.010.001

Label TextThis sphinx amulet, created during the Kushite Dynasty, shows a departure from the traditional sphinx of the New Kingdom, usually represented as lying down with its paws stretched out before it, wearing a nemes headdress. Here, the female faience sphinx is seated on its haunches and has its hair arranged in cross-like form. The amulet features the remnants of a loop for suspension and would have been worn as an amulet. The lion, and by extension the sphinx, had a long history in Egypt of acting as the protector or guardian of the king and sacred space and often represented the king's aggressive side. The Kushite Dynasty brought their own belief in the lion as a symbol of royal authority and therefore an amulet such as this would have had particularly strong royal connotations during this dynasty. It is possible that a wearer might seek to be imbued with some of the qualities of the lion or the king.

Exhibition HistoryFrom Pharaohs to Emperors: New Egyptian and Classical Antiquities at Emory, Michael C. Carlos Museum, January 14 - April 2, 2006
MCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, 2006 - Present
Published ReferencesPeter Lacovara and Jasper Gaunt, "From Pharaohs to Emperors: Egyptian, Near Eastern & Classical Antiquities at Emory," Minerva 17 (January/February 2006): 9-16.

ProvenancePurchased by MCCM from Sue McGovern-Huffman [Sands of Time Antiquities], Kemah, Texas.

Status

On view

Collections