Egyptian Cartonnage Gess-Lined Panel w/ Criosphinx

Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A rectangular cartonnage panel comprised of gesso-lined linen with two primary scenes separated by a vertical column and surrounded with polychrome patterning. Illustrated on the left is a highly stylized amalgam creature known as a criosphinx, a ram-headed sphinx with a feathered body, an extensive tail, a pair of horns supporting a sun disk, broad wings on the back, and a feather of Ma'at (or feather of truth) on each foot. The criosphinx is shown carrying a mummified, red-painted individual on its tail, perhaps as a surrogate of the god Amun-Ra for transporting the deceased into the afterlife. To the right are a pair of kneeling, right-facing female figures holding feathers of Ma'at on a red ground, and a column of pink lotus flowers separates them from the chimeric creature. A top border bearing dense serrations courses to either side before terminating in two columns of polychrome bars and slender black strips. Size: 9.1" W x 3.375" H (23.1 cm x 8.6 cm); 6.5" H (16.5 cm) on included custom stand.

Ram-headed sphinxes, named as criosphinxes by Herodotus (2.175), were often perceived as zoomorphic representations of the god Amun. They embody the same characteristics as typical human-headed sphinxes, however their replacement with ram-form heads reinforced the association with Amun and eventually Amun Ra, the combination of Amun - the creator of the universe - and Ra - the falcon-headed god of the sun. Author Robert H. Wilkinson explains that a criosphinx, "Probably because of its procreative vigour, the ram (ovis platyra aegyptiaca - recognized by its curved horns) could symbolize Amun. The processional routes which led to Amun's chief temple at Karnak were flanked with prone rams or ram-headed lions symbolizing the god, and the great festival barque of Amun 'lord of the two horns' was decorated with rams' heads at its prow and stern." (Wilkinson, Robert H. "The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt." Thames & Hudson, London, 2003, p. 94)

For a colossal sandstone head from a criosphinx statue from the New Kingdom period, please see The British Museum, museum number EA14.

For an example of a criosphinx on a glazed steatite scarab ring from the New Kingdom period, please see The British Museum, museum number EA64919.

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection, acquired between 2005 and 2010; ex-private Simonian family collection, Switzerland, formed in the 1970s

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#153224 Dimensions: Condition Report: Repaired in a couple of areas on verso, with light restoration to areas of lower frontal periphery, with overpainting along frontal break lines and light adhesive residue along verso break lines. Minor nicks to front, peripheries, and verso, with fading to areas of original pigmentation with scattered areas of touch-up paint, and slight bending to overall form. Great traces of original pigment and iconography throughout.