Senwosret III as a Sphinx

ca. 1878–1840 B.C.

Because of their strength, ferocity, imposing mane, and awesome roar, lions were associated with kingship since prehistoric times. As divine guardians against evil, they also symbolized in cosmic myths the place on the horizon where the sun was reborn every day.

With the body of a lion and the head of a human, the sphinx symbolically combined the power of the lion with the image of the reigning king. In this magnificent example, the face belongs to Senwosret III of Dynasty 12 whose features are very distinctive (see 26.7.1394). He wears a pleated linen headcloth, called a nemes headdress, which is symbolic of kingship.

The nemes is surmounted by a cobra, which represents the goddess Udjo, one of the protectors of the king. The cobra's hood and head were either carved separately or they were repaired in antiquity, for there is an ancient dowel hole drilled into the place where the cobra's upright body would be.

On view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in Gallery 111