Sculptpedia Statues, Busts and Sculptures Park sculptures and installations Ancient World & Antiquity Middle Ages & Renaissance Marble & Other Stones Bronze & Other Metals

Djedefre sphinx head (E 12626)

Djedefre sphinx head (E 12626) is a quartzite fragment from an ancient Egyptian statue of Pharaoh Djedefra, who ruled around 2566–2558 BCE during the Fourth Dynasty. The head was found in the early 20th century by the Institut français d’archéologie orientale among rubble and sculptural fragments in the funerary temple attached to Djedefra’s pyramid at Abu Rawash. Its facial features include straight, nearly linear eyebrows, defined cheekbones, an expressive gaze, and a receding chin. The smooth nemes headdress and the break behind the neck suggest the figure originally formed part of a reclining lion, leading to the conclusion that the complete statue was a sphinx.

Weathered stone head of the Djedefre sphinx with a damaged nose and royal headpiece featuring a cobra emblem.
The weathered head of the Djedefre sphinx, shown on a plinth in a museum setting.
July 2016 © · CC0
Weathered stone head of the Djedefre sphinx with a damaged nose and textured surface on a white display stand.
The Djedefre sphinx head shows heavy weathering, with a damaged nose and rough stone surface.
December 2010 © · Public domain
Damaged stone head of Djedefre sphinx with a royal headdress and missing nose
The damaged head of the Djedefre sphinx, showing the royal headdress and worn facial features.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0 fr
Weathered stone head of the Djedefre sphinx with a damaged nose and worn headdress edges.
Weathered head of the Djedefre sphinx, showing heavy erosion and damage to the nose and headdress.
October 2023 © · CC0
Djedefre sphinx head displayed on a pedestal behind glass in a museum gallery.
The Djedefre sphinx head on display at the Louvre, seen behind glass in the gallery.
May 2013 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleDjedefre sphinx head-E 12626
Object typeFragment of an ancient Egyptian statue
Inventory numberE 12626

Historical context

Datec. 2566–2558 BC
DynastyFourth Dynasty
Historical contextOld Kingdom, during Djedefre's reign

Creator

SubjectPharaoh Djedefre (Dyedefra)
Historical roleSuccessor of Khufu and predecessor of Khafre

Discovery and provenance

Discovery contextFound among numerous sculpture fragments and remains of sculptures of Djedefre and Hetepheres
Related monument locationAbu Rawash, a few kilometers north of Giza
Related monumentDjedefre's pyramid at Abu Rawash
Discovery locationRuins of the mortuary/funerary temple attached to Djedefre's pyramid at Abu Rawash, north of Giza
Discovering institutionFrench Institute of Oriental Archaeology
Discovery dateEarly 20th century

Physical characteristics

Preserved elementOnly the head survives
ConditionFragmentary; only the head is preserved

Materials

MaterialQuartzite

Appearance

HeadgearSmooth nemes headdress
Facial featuresStraight, almost linear eyebrows; defined cheekbones; expressive, indulgent gaze; receding chin
Original formProbably a sphinx, with the head attached to a reclining lion body
Reason for sphinx interpretationThe cut profile of the head and the break behind the neck suggest attachment to a reclining lion body

Iconography and meaning

Portrait interpretationProbably not a faithful portrait of the ruler, although the facial features are distinctive and appear in known images of Djedefre

Location and ownership

Current locationLouvre Museum, Paris

Significance

Historical significanceAttributed to the reign of Djedefre; among the oldest surviving sphinxes in Egyptian history, possibly predating the Great Sphinx of Giza
Comparative referenceThe Great Sphinx of Giza is generally attributed to the reign of Khafre, Djedefre's brother and successor