During the New Kingdom, representations of the mighty griffin become considerably more numerous. As an artistic emblem for the display of royal power, as with the sphinx, the king sometimes assumed the appearance of a huge terrifying griffin, and is rendered trampling underfoot the traditional enemies of the country. The form of this beast also gradually underwent a change, becoming more gracile, appearing like a sleek canine, and the head and bill come to resemble those of a large vulture or an eagle, rather than a falcon.
Beginning in the late New Kingdom, griffins can be seen on magical statues and stelae pulling at breakneck speed the chariot of the youthful god Shed, who shoots his unerring arrows at an assortment of typhonic creatures, thereby helping to bring safety to their owners.
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Is this a depiction of Hatshepsut as a sphinx?
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