Saint-Sulpice: Answer

Pair of Sphinxes, c. 1780. 6, rue Férou. 

6th arrondissement. Metro: Saint-Sulpice

Photo: Phillip Townsend and Maura Gleeson

The lure of the artistic riches of Rome attracted both artists and art enthusiasts during the eighteenth century. Of course, ancient Rome had enjoyed its own version of "Egyptomania," with genuine Egyptian works brought to Rome, which--in turn--inspired ancient Roman copies and interpretations. Undoubtedly, Rome was the source for these wonderful gatepost sphinxes. 

Phillip catching the mood. Photo: Phillip Townsend and Maura Gleeson

The Hôtel de Luzy was built for a popular actress of the time, known as "Mademoiselle Luzy," c. 1770, and these guardian sphinxes on her entry gateposts have been dated to around 1780 (Humbert 1998). 

Photo: Phillip Townsend and Maura Gleeson

They are in the classic form of an Egyptian sphinx as Pharaoh: body of a lion topped by a human head wearing a striped nemes: head gear specific to the pharaoh. It covers the entire back of the head, while its flaps extend over the lion's shoulders.  

Photo: Phillip Townsend and Maura Gleeson

Perhaps the creation of Egyptianizing sphinxes like these inspired the acquisition of authentic Egyptian sphinxes, like this example from 399-380 BCE. The Louvre Museum acquired this ancient sphinx representing the Pharaoh Hakoris in 1807. Both the ancient and French examples provided a 'sphinx-checklist' for artists to work from: a muscular lion's body lying in with its forelegs extended; a lion's tail curled up around its haunches; and a human head wearing a striped nemes.