Amulet of a seated sphinx with Nubian hairstyle

Description

Rare figure of a (female) sphinx in seated position on a base, with loop between the shoulders and rare Nubian 'four stranded' hairstyle. The Nubian hairstyle was worn by young women in connection with birth, nursing babies and applying cosmetics.

Parallels:

Andrews, C., Amulets of Ancient Egypt, British Museum 1994, p.78, fig.78a and 78d, for similar amulets.  

https://collections.carlos.emory.edu/objects/11611/sphinx-amulet;jsessionid=DC19615EE6E602DD7A5015E692F303D6

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/570329

https://collections.mfa.org/objects/145688/amulet-in-the-form-of-a-seated-sphinx?ctx=ce1724d8-f1ea-40c9-a04b-d88f72972dfe&idx=0 

Culture

Egyptian, 18th - 25th dynasty

Dating

Circa 1292 - 656 BC

Size

2,7 cm high, mounted on a 0,5 cm base. 

Provenance

Dr. Hans Halter, Swiss colecting before 1966. In EU collection since 2006. 

Dutch Private Collection, acquired via Gorny & Mosch.

Published

Gorny and Mosch Catalogue auction 316, page 2.

Condition

Fine details, right side of four stranded hairstyle missing.