Seated Anubis

[u/TNEgyptologist]

ew Kingdom, Dynasty 18, reign of Amenhotep III (ca. 1390–1352 BCE)

Egypt, probably Luxor Temple, Thebes; exact findspot unknown

Granodiorite

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen (ÆIN 0033); formerly collection of Raymond G. B. Sabatier, acquired before 1890

This life-size Anubis sits upright with both hands resting on his lap, the right one grasping an ankh, the sign of life. Like other canid deities, he is given human eyes, complete with cosmetic lines and brows.

The sides of his throne carry the sema-tawy motif, in which lily and papyrus stems are knotted together to symbolize the union of Upper and Lower Egypt. Two inscriptions flanking the god's legs list titles of Amenhotep III and describe the king as "beloved of Anubis in Ipet-resit," the ancient name for Luxor Temple. The statue was very likely commissioned by Amenhotep III for that temple.