Head of a Sphinx

Middle Kingdom

ca. 1981–1878 B.C.

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 111

The uraeus serpent marks the royal status of this person, who is wearing an unusual wig with striations running from the forehead to the back. The statue depicts part of the real hair projecting from underneath the wig, in front of the ear. Looking at the head itself, it seems unclear if a man or woman is depicted. The shape of the mouth and the several tight curls of the uraeus fit well to early dynasty 12, but the naturally sculpted eyebrow and ear point towards the middle of this dynasty. The facial features do not match any king of this period, which makes it more likely that the head depicts a queen or princess. The depth and the angle of the break show that the head was part of a sphinx, a common statue type not only for kings, but also for royal women.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Head of a Sphinx
Period: Middle Kingdom
Dynasty: Dynasty 12
Reign: reign of Amenemhat I–Senwosret II
Date: ca. 1981–1878 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt
Medium: Quartzite
Dimensions: h. 18 cm (7 1/16 in) w. 12.5 cm (4 15/16 in) d. 21 cm (8 1/4 in)
Credit Line: Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, by exchange, 1978
Object Number: 1978.204
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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