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Sphinx from a marble figural capital

1st–2nd century CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 168
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.
Figural capitals represent the finest aspect of architectural decoration, and this finely carved example must have belonged to an elaborate Roman building. The fragment preserves the volute of a corner Ionic or composite capital decorated with a winged crouching sphinx on both eyes and a mask of Pan in relief on the pillow. It resembles a capital with a pair of heraldic sphinxes recorded in a 1761 engraving by Giovanni Battista Piranesi in the area of the Villa Borghese in Rome.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Sphinx from a marble figural capital
  • Date: 1st–2nd century CE
  • Culture: Roman
  • Medium: Marble
  • Dimensions: Height: 14 9/16 in. (37 cm)
    Width: 12 5/8 × 5 in., 42 lb.(w/ base) (32.1 × 12.7 cm,
  • Classification: Stone Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Lent by Mr. Andrés A. Mata
  • Object Number: L.2016.59
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art