Sekhmet statues

The statues are a depiction of the goddess Sekhmet showing her lioness features from head to toe.

The statues feature the fierce eye of the sun god Re and its jaw structure the goddess is known for.

The origin of the Sekhmet statues was during the reign of Amenhotep III dynasty 18 (ca 1390-1352 BC).

Sekhmet statues have been found at Amenhotep III Mortuary Temple/Complex at Kom el Heittan on the Theban West Bank and at the Temple of Mut at Karnak on the east bank of the Nile River at Thebes.

Amenhotep III hoped that the Sekhmet statues would heal him from illness and bring him good fortune for the year.

We can tell Amenhotep III favored the Sekhmet goddess since he used her statues so much for ritual practices.

The statues leave people in awe with their fiery eye of Re and jaw structure of the goddess Sekhmet.

Egyptian artists were great at putting human and animal forms together in equal power and truth.

The head of the statues have a sun disk and Uraeus on the top which is connected by a dove tail groove.

There are rare depictions of the statue wearing a double crown representing the fusion of Sekhmet and Mut.

The dress is meant to be the color red and would represent mistress aspect and symbolize lower Egypt and warlike nature.

The large rosette over the greats are meant to reflect patterns in the shoulder hair of lions and another theory is that they reflect astronomical symbolism of the shoulder star of the constellation Leo in Egyptian astronomical paintings.

Sekhmet statues wear a wig arranged in separate strands like real hair.

There are detailed carved whiskers, furrows, hair tiffs and elaborate ankh signs.

The statues throne include hieroglyphics and a regulated border pattern and lower corner of the rectangle design.

Some say the finest works are from Amenhotep III because of the detailed filled dots for the whiskers and talon shaped hooks beneath the inside corner of each eye on the Sekhmet statue.

At the temple of Amenhotep III the statues were set in lavish fashion in double rows, one behind the other.

Sekhmet statues found at the temple of Mut on the east bank at Luxor were the same ones used in Amenhotep III courts.

The two statues religious influence were meant to balance each other with fierce and gentle attributes and avoid destruction.

Many felt the number of statues found is unusual, but when looking at the evidence they were used as a calendar and for sed festivals.

Sekhmet statues at Mut at Karnak on the east bank at Luxor were from Amenhotep III courts.

Albert discusses how well the statues were put into rows at the Amenhotep III mortuary temple.

Egyptologists like Betsy Bryan have connected the statues to the new year and jubilee festivals of Amenhotep III.

Betsy Bryan and her team at Mout in 2004 wanted to bring back the statues to Kom el Heittan.

During the 20th century H Swiss institute uncovered Sekhmet statues from Kom el Heittan.

In 2006 after removing the water blocking the excavations there were more statues found at the peristyle court and hypostyle hall.

The Sekhmet statues led to further cult centers at Kom el Hisn in the western delta with Hathor.

The statue at the Temple of Ptah at Karnak was broken in the 20th century since the locals feared she might harm their kids.