Marble statue of a sphinx, fragmentary

3rd quarter of the 6th century BCE

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 154

This capital and sphinx originally crowned the tall grave stele of a youth and a little girl (11.185a–c,f,g). The sphinx, which retains abundant traces of red, black, and blue pigment, was carved separately from the capital on which it stands. Its plinth was let into a socket at the top of the capital and secured by a metal dowel and a bed of molten lead. The capital is in the form of two double volutes (spiral scrolls) designed like a lyre. The front face of the capital also had a painted design of palmettes and volutes.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

References

Title: Marble statue of a sphinx, fragmentary
Period: Archaic
Date: 3rd quarter of the 6th century BCE
Culture: Greek
Medium: Marble
Dimensions: joined to 11.185 a-f: 13 ft. 10 11/16 in. (423.4 cm)
Classification: Stone Sculpture
Credit Line: Munsey Fund, 1936
Object Number: 36.11.13
Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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