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

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

More Artwork

In the same gallery

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Marble capital and finial in the form of a sphinx, Marble, Parian, Greek, Attic — Marble capital and finial in the form of a sphinx
Greek, Attic
ca. 530 BCE

Marble statue of a kore (maiden), Marble, Island, Greek — Marble statue of a kore (maiden)
Greek
late 6th century BCE

Marble statue of a lion, Marble, Parian 2, Greek — Marble statue of a lion
Greek
ca. 400–390 BCE

Marble statue of a kouros (youth), Marble, Naxian, Greek, Attic — Marble statue of a kouros (youth)
Greek, Attic
ca. 590–580 BCE

Marble stele (grave marker) of a woman, Marble, Greek, Attic — Marble stele (grave marker) of a woman
Greek, Attic
mid-4th century BCE

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.