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Thutmose III Sphinx

The Thutmose III sphinx is a bronze statuette dating to the reign of Thutmose III, who ruled from 1479 to 1425 BCE. Decorated with gold inlays and multiple symbols of royal power, it may originally have been part of a lock. The figure shows the pharaoh lying on the Nine Bows, the traditional enemies of Egypt brought into submission, and includes the djed pillars on its sides. Purchased by the Louvre in 1826, it is now part of the permanent collection of the Egyptian Antiquities department, in room 24 of the Sully wing on the first floor.

Thutmose III sphinx with a dark body and gold detailing on the headdress, beard, and collar
The Thutmose III sphinx shown with gilded detailing on its headdress, beard, and collar.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0 fr
Thutmose III sphinx shown in profile with a gold-striped headdress and beard.
The Thutmose III Sphinx displayed in profile, with gilded details on the head and shoulders.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0 fr
Thutmose III sphinx figurine in profile with gold inlays on a dark background
A dark sphinx figurine of Thutmose III with gold details on a rectangular base.
© · CC BY 4.0
Thutmose III sphinx with a striped headdress, false beard, and gold inlays on its body and chest cartouche.
A small gilded sphinx figure associated with Thutmose III, shown with a striped headdress and hieroglyphic cartouche.
April 2005 © · Public domain
Thutmose III sphinx statuette with a pharaonic headdress, false beard, and gold-striped detailing.
A dark, gilded-looking sphinx statuette of Thutmose III with a pharaonic headdress and false beard.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0 fr

Identification

TitleThutmose III sphinx
TypeBronze sphinx statuette
Alternative nameThe Bronze Sphinx of Thutmose III

Historical context

Dynasty18th Dynasty of Egypt
DateThutmose III reign, c. 1479–1425 BCE (Low Chronology; alternative high chronology 1504–1450 BC)

Creator

Depicted rulerThutmose III (Menjeperra Dyehuthymose)
Ruler descriptionSixth pharaoh of Egypt's 18th Dynasty; described as one of the most important and powerful monarchs of the three thousand years of pharaonic civilization

Discovery and provenance

AcquisitionPurchased by the Louvre Museum in 1826

Location and ownership

Current collectionPermanent collections of the Department of Egyptian Antiquities, Louvre Museum
Current locationDisplay case 4, Room 637 (formerly Room 24), Sully Wing, first floor, Louvre Museum

Physical characteristics

MaterialBronze
Decorative materialGold inlays

Appearance

Base decorationEngraved with the Nine Bows
DepictionA sphinx showing the pharaoh reclining on the Nine Bows, the traditional enemies of Egypt brought into submission
DecorationOrnamented with symbols of royal power, including djed pillars on the sides

Iconography and meaning

Nine Bows meaningTraditional enemies of Egypt
Nine Bows representationWhen shown generically, represented by nine double semicircles (nb, 'all') arranged in three columns
Front inscriptionUses the Rekhyt bird in a rebus meaning 'all people give praise'
Hieroglyphs in rebusBasket hieroglyph V30 (nb) for 'all'; Rekhyt bird hieroglyph G24 (rḫyt) for 'the people'; star hieroglyph N14 for 'praising'
Symbolic meaningHighlights symbols of royal power
Linguistic deviceRebus

Other

Possible functionMay have been an element of a lock or used to open a door; forms part of a cartouche-like device
Comparative referenceThe Nine Bows can be seen on the base of the statue of Nectanebo II

Significance

Chronology noteLow Chronology has been the conventional academic dating since the 1960s; some circles prefer the high chronology