Description:

Southern Italy, ca. 6th century BCE. This is an amber pendant in the form of a seated, crouched sphinx. Carved details on the wings are clear and striking. Although the Great Sphinx of Giza is more famous, sphinxes also played a large role in Greek mythology, probably because of the intermixing of Egyptian and Greek culture via trade routes across the Mediterranean. The Greek version of the sphinx, unlike the male Egyptian one, is the head of a human female, the body of a lioness, the wings of an eagle, and a serpent's tail. The Greek version of the sphinx is also sometimes associated with Hera, wife of Zeus. Size: 1.4" H (3.6 cm).

Provenance: Ex-private collection of Frank Sternberg, Zurich, Switzerland, collected between 1980-1985.

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#111454

  • Condition: Pierced for suspension. Slight damage to left edge. Surfaces worn.

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December 7, 2015 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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