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Tête de femme, probablement d'une sphinge

1st quarter of the 5th century BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 157
Étant donné l’abondance de la pierre calcaire et du marbre, en Grèce, la terre cuite ne servait pas souvent pour les sculptures de grandes dimensions. Les proportions de cette pièce et la fracture à hauteur du cou donnent à penser que cette tête remarquablement sculptée était celle d’une sphinge qui décorait probablement le toit d’un petit bâtiment. Les sphinx servaient traditionnellement de figures tutélaires, notamment sur des monuments funéraires, comme l’illustre l’impressionnante stèle funéraire de l’Attique (11.185a–d,f,g). Il faut noter ici la polychromie qui souligne des détails comme les boucles d’oreille et le serre-tête.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Titre: Tête de femme, probablement d'une sphinge
  • Date: 1er quart du Ve siècle av. J.-C.
  • Culture: Grec
  • Technique: Terre cuite
  • Dimensions: H. 20,6 cm
  • Crédits: Fonds Rogers, 1947
  • Accession Number: 47.100.3
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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