Sphinx of Amenhotep III

Amenhotep III, often hailed as the Dazzling Sun King, was a monarch whose reign illuminated Egypt with an unparalleled splendour of construction and artistry. His legacy cast a long shadow, inspiring later pharaohs such as Ramesses the Great to emulate his grandeur. Colossal statues bearing his likeness once dominated the Egyptian horizon, while minute treasures of exquisite craftsmanship (much like this faience sphinx), continue to emerge from the sands of Egypt’s storied past.

This faience sphinx, a luminous creation in rich Nile blue, bears the unmistakable features of Amenhotep III: the almost childlike softness of the full-lipped smile, a slender nose bridge, deep-set, wide eyes exuding calm authority, and an air of divine serenity.

His sculpted lion body is flawlessly integrated with human forearms and hands, which delicately hold two nu jars (symbolic vessels of offering). Even without an inscription, the king’s presence is unmistakable, rendered with such precision and grace that the figure appears almost lifelike. Despite the millennia, this faience piece remains in remarkably pristine condition, its glaze still glistening with a sheen that speaks to the mastery of the ancient artisans.

This exquisite faience sphinx, possibly originating from Thebes, once belonged to the renowned Howard Carter collection and was acquired by 1936. It later entered the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan in 1939, reflecting its journey through notable private collections. In 1972, the piece was placed at auction at Sotheby, Parke-Bernet, New York, where it was ultimately secured by the museum following the withdrawal of higher bidders, ensuring its preservation and continued appreciation.

Nu Jars

The nu jars held by the king are vessels of great significance in Egyptian ritual. Shaped like wide-mouthed containers, they were used to hold liquid offerings, often of water, wine, or milk, intended to nourish the gods and sustain the cosmic order. In temple scenes and funerary rites, figures of the king or priests offering nu jars signified devotion, abundance, and the eternal cycle of giving and receiving. Here, Amenhotep III is portrayed not merely as a ruler, but as a divine intermediary, his leonine strength matched by his role as a provider to the gods.

Summary:

Faience Sphinx of Amenhotep III, with traces of travertine (Egyptian alabaster)

New Kingdom, early 18th Dynasty, c. 1390–1353 B.C.

Likely from Thebes. Once part of the Howard Carter collection (acquired by 1936), it later resided at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, Michigan, from 1939. It was acquired by the Met Museum after the 1972 Sotheby, Parke-Bernet auction in New York. 1972.125