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Object Description Paper

Object Description Paper

Object: Sphinx of King Senwosret III

Dynasty 12, reign of Senwosret III (ca. 1878-1840 B.C.)

From Thebes, Karnak temple

 

Immediate Observations:

  • Small
  • Dark in color
  • A royal
  • Has a beard
  • Large Ears
  • Laying down
  • Has the royal headdress
  • The headdress has a back section that comes down the back
  • Half Lion/cat. Half Human
  • Tail looks as if it is a rattlesnake tail
  • Lines within the rock
  • Front paws/arms are cut off
  • Inscriptions on the neck area
  • Lines are carved down the front, on a shirt maybe
  • Large back paws

More Observations:

  • Is there a meaning behind the tail wrapping around the back?
  • What is the long section behind the head, connected to the headdress?
  • Does the shirt wrap give it more meaning? Another royal item?
  • Why do they make half animal/half human figures?
  • The face seems angry, has no emotion

Description:

Seeing this object in person made me realize that not all Egyptian art was large and unproportional. I haven’t seen a sphynx this small. It was also such a dark interesting color. I believe it was marble, just very dark. Had black and beige lines/spots all around it. It is in great shape for how old it is. The only spots I noticed that were chipped or taken off were the front legs and the nose. The rest of the body was in great shape. All details were very vibrant and defined. The face and headdress were in perfect condition. It has marvelous definition in the face. The artist did make the ears stand out, which I believe means it was a royal or some sort of hierarchy. The ears, the headdress and the beard are the only things I can see that would show it is a royal. Since it is half sphynx and does not have front paws and I can’t tell by the stance. The body is very well defined with the large hips and the tail wrapping around the animals right side. I believe that it would belong to a king, maybe at the entrance of the tomb.

The exhibit put the sculpture in its own area, centered in the room. In a free standing glass case, the sculpture sat facing the walkway. Making it feel as if it was watching you walk by. The museum had direct light onto the sculpture, aiming at his head and shoulders, as well as his tail and rear. Bringing out the different details in his face, headdress and beard, to showing the depths of his tail and muscular legs and large feet.  

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