Sfinge del faraone Amasis II

Sfinge del faraone Amasis II
Type: 
Sculpture
Year: 
568 B.C. - 526 B.C.
Material and technique: 
Bashanite
Size: 
Figura alt. 90 cm, larg. 40 cm, prof. 128 cm, Plinto alt. 16-18 cm
Origin: 
Palazzo dei Conservatori, Musei Capitolini, Sala dei fasti moderni III (until 2008) Campidoglio, Palazzo dei Conservatori, Musei Capitolini, Sala dei monumenti egizi ed egittizanti (1990-01-22-2008)
Inventory: 
S 35

The sphinx, with its leonine body and human head, is depicted lying down as usual, with its front legs extended forward and the hind legs gathered under the body. The head represents the pharaoh's face, covered by the royal headdress called nemes, made of cloth, in parallel stripes with two bands descending on the chest; on the nape of the neck the hair is gathered, inside the cloth, in a long plait. On the forehead was the uraeus, a decoration in the form of a snake, exclusive to kings, which has not been preserved. On the chest is visible the collar with six rows of beads, called usekh.
An inscription still visible on the breast makes it possible to trace the identity of the pharaoh, Amasis II: his name was, however, erased following damnatio memoriae, a measure that entailed the destruction of all images and even the names of the person concerned.

Masterpieces of the hall

The hall

Palazzo Nuovo - Sala Egizia

Most of the works on display come from the “Iseo del Campo Marzio”, the most important sanctuary in Rome dedicated to the Egyptian gods.

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