Description:

Greece, Classical Period, ca. 5th century BCE. This is a pottery carving of a sphinx, depicted in profile with her head turned to the center, her animal body perched upwards as if standing on a hilltop, and her wings erect. Although the Great Sphinx of Giza is certainly the most famous, sphinxes have a large place in Greek mythology as well -- 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. Famously, the sphinx asks a riddle of travellers to the city of Thebes, which is solved by Oedipus; much more recently, a sphinx appears in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to ask Harry a riddle as he makes his way through an enchanted maze. The Greek version of the sphinx is also sometimes associated with Hera, wife of Zeus. This piece comes with a custom stand. Size: 2" W x 2.9" H (5.1 cm x 7.4 cm).

Provenance: Acquired in Germany in 2005

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#111310

  • Condition: The piece is a fragment, but the sphinx itself is largely present, with expected wear but clear features.

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

Artemis Fine Arts

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