Seated Statue of the Goddess Sekhmet

The predatory impression of the lioness’ head placed on top of the imposing body of a woman is tempered by the tresses of the long wig which fall over the accentuated breasts. The mane is ornamental and gives a noble rather than a frightful appearance to the leonine face with its bony skull and stylized whiskers. On top of the head rises, or rather rose, a solar disk with a royal cobra which emphasizes the cosmic aspects of this composite manifestation of hazardous divinity.

The face has been modeled with extreme care. Its eyes are small and framed by eyelids in relief, which were originally painted, as were the five-partite collar and the edge of the robe. Sekhmet is seated on a block throne with a low back. To the left and right of the legs of the goddess, vertical lines of inscription have been added to the surface of the throne.

Black granite, from the Temple of Mut at Karnak. New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, reign of Amenhotep III, ca. 1391-1353 BC. Now in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.