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Head and Forepart of Body of Sphinx

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

MEDIUM Limestone
  • Reportedly From: Koptos (Qift), Egypt
  • DATES 2nd–3rd century C.E. (probably)
    PERIOD Roman Period
    DIMENSIONS 9 3/16 x 6 1/2 in. (23.3 x 16.5 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 16.622
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father, Charles Edwin Wilbour
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Head and forepart of body of striding royal sphinx in soft limestone. Plain Nemes headdress with uraeus. Face roughly worked with small protruding mouth; right leg advanced. Probably a representation of a Roman emperor. Condition: Poor. Surface worn. Only about one third of body preserved. Front legs missing. No trace of paint.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Head and Forepart of Body of Sphinx, 2nd–3rd century C.E. (probably). Limestone, 9 3/16 x 6 1/2 in. (23.3 x 16.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father, Charles Edwin Wilbour, 16.622. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.16.622_negA_bw.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, CUR.16.622_negA_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2010
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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     <em>Head and Forepart of Body of Sphinx</em>, 2nd–3rd century C.E. (probably). Limestone, 9 3/16 x 6 1/2 in. (23.3 x 16.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father, Charles Edwin Wilbour, 16.622. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.16.622_negA_bw.jpg)