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<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 33.586_edited_SL1.jpg)
Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 33.586_edited_SL1.jpg)
<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 33.586_edited_SL1.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 33.586_edited_SL1.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 33.586_bw_SL1.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 33.586_bw_SL1.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 33.586.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 33.586.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_divinefelines_2013.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_divinefelines_2013.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_wwgA-1.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_wwgA-1.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 33.586_bw.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 33.586_bw.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegA_bw.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegA_bw.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegB_bw.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegB_bw.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegC_bw.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegC_bw.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegD_bw.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegD_bw.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegE_bw.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegE_bw.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegF_bw.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegF_bw.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegG_bw.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegG_bw.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegH_bw.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegH_bw.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegI_bw.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegI_bw.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegJ_bw.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegJ_bw.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegK_bw.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegK_bw.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegL_bw.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegL_bw.jpg)

<em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegM_bw.jpg)

Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.33.586_NegM_bw.jpg)

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Sphinx of King Sheshenq

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

The sphinx was one of many composite beings created by the ancient Egyptians. Such images were not simply combinations of human and animal forms; they emphasized the more-than-human aspects of the subject.

Small figures of sphinxes were made as temple offerings or as part of the decoration of cult objects. When added to ritual objects, sphinxes such as this served a protective role. The figure is inscribed for a King Sheshenq, but we cannot be certain which of the five pharaohs named Sheshenq is shown.

MEDIUM Bronze
  • Place Made: Egypt
    • DATES ca. 945-712 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 22 to Dynasty 23
    PERIOD Third Intermediate Period
    DIMENSIONS 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm) mount (Display dimensions): 2 1/4 x 1 1/8 x 3 in. (5.7 x 2.9 x 7.6 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 33.586
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Recumbent bronze sphinx with royal head wearing nemes headdress and beard. Wings and tail of falcon (?) incised on body. Two pins on underside of body for insertion in a separate base. Incised on breast "The good god, (uncertain cartouche)", possibly Seshonk V. Condition: Good. One leg slightly bent. Surface cleaned before purchase and is dull and black. Some slight encrustation around inscription
    EXHIBITIONS
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Sphinx of King Sheshenq, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 33.586_edited_SL1.jpg)
    IMAGE right, 33.586_edited_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
    "CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.
    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
    You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.
    RECORD COMPLETENESS
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    <em>Sphinx of King Sheshenq</em>, ca. 945-712 B.C.E. Bronze, 1 15/16 x 13/16 x 2 7/8 in. (4.9 x 2.1 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 33.586. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 33.586_edited_SL1.jpg)

    TAGS

    ancient
    beard
    bronze
    cult objects
    egypt
    egyptian
    King Sheshenq
    offerings
    power
    sculpture
    Shoshenq
    sphinx
    statue
    Third Intermediate Period
    XXII Dynasty-XXIII Dynasty

    TAGS

    ancient
    beard
    bronze
    cult objects
    egypt
    egyptian
    King Sheshenq
    offerings
    power
    sculpture
    Shoshenq
    sphinx
    statue
    Third Intermediate Period
    XXII Dynasty-XXIII Dynasty

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