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Fragments of beard of Great Sphinx

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Object(s) photograph: Site: Giza; View: Sphinx

Two fragments of the beard of the Great Sphinx, restored by Thutmose IV. Kneeling figure is represented on the larger block.

Details

  • ID
    GEM_1089
  • Department
    Grand Egyptian Museum
  • Classification
    Sculpture
  • Findspot
    Sphinx
  • Material
    Limestone
  • Dimensions
    Part A: 111 x 37 cm
  • Credit Line
    Grand Egyptian Museum
  • Cairo Temporary Register number
    EMC_TR_6.4.49.2A
  • Cairo Temporary Register number
    EMC_TR_6.4.49.2B
  • Cairo Special Register number
    EMC_SR_2/14815
  • Period
    Old Kingdom, Dynasty 4
  • Attested
    Thutmose IV
  • Notes
    Related to another part kept in the British Museum and one in the Cairo Museum, referred to in Porter-Moss as EMC_CG_57119 and Ricke, Harmachistempel, as EMC_CG_27119 (neither of which seem to be correct). GEM record indicates one of the two fragments registered as GEM_1089 (= EMC_TR_6.4.49.2 A and B) is inscribed with a kneeling figure; however from descriptions in Porter-Moss and Ricke the inscribed fragment seems to be the other Cairo fragment for which no correct number is known.
  • Remarks
    RELATED CONSTITUENT(S): Thutmose IV; Emile Baraize; ALTERNATE NUMBER(S): EMC_TR_6.4.49.2 A; EMC_TR_6.4.49.2 B; EMC_SR_2.14815; RELATED SITE(S): Sphinx

Tombs and Monuments 1

  • Sphinx

    • Site Name Sphinx Complex

Full Bibliography

  • PM 3, p. 37: (a) Cairo Mus. 57119, with reliefs on both faces, kneeling King offering necklace(?), added later (probably New Kingdom), re-discovered by Baraize; SALT in VYSE, Operations, iii, 1st pl. after p. 108 [top three] (upper part with head of King now lost); I.L.N. May I, 1926, fig. on p. 801 [bottom left]; RICKE, Harmachistempel, Taf. 17 [a], pp. 33-4 with note 53 (called 27119); GRDSELOFF, MSS. 3 (photo.); ARCH. LACAU phot. C. i bis, 14; see Descr. somm. No. 6031. (b) Cairo Mus. Temp. No. 6.4.49.2 A, B. (c) Brit. Mus. 58; SALT in VYSE, op. cit. 1st pl. after p. 108 [bottom]; see SHARPE, Eg. Antiq. pp. 1-3 [58]; Guide (Sculpture), p. 7 [21]; Guide, Eg. Colln. (1909), p. 199; (1930), p. 294; Lehner, Mark, “The Sphinx,” in Hawass, Zahi. 2003. The Treasures of the Pyramids, 173-189, especially p. 183.

People 1

Ancient People

  • Thutmose IV

    • Type Attested
    • Remarks King of Dynasty 18. prenomen: [mn-xprw-ra] Menkheperure. Restorations to Sphinx done in time of Thutmose IV. Objects found at Giza: Faience scarab (27-4-1272 = MFA 27.2022) and faience udjat amulet (28-3-58 = MFA 28.1381) with cartouche of Thutmose IV.