1923.7
Plaquette of a Sphinx
Artist
Artist Unidentified (Greek)
Title
Plaquette of a Sphinx
Creation Date
ca. 470 BCE
Century
5th century BCE
Dimensions
2 15/16 in. x 3 1/8 in. (7.5 cm. x 8 cm.)
Classification
Sculpture
Creation Place
Ancient Mediterranean, Greece
Medium and Support
terracotta
Credit Line
Gift of Edward Perry Warren, Esq., Honorary Degree, 1926
Copyright
This artwork may be under copyright. For further information, please consult the Museum’s
Copyright Terms and Conditions.
Accession Number
1923.7
The Greek sphinx is a composite typically represented with the body of a lion, wings, and a human head. Winged versions are typically found in Near Eastern contexts. Assyrian texts identify this fantastic creature as the protective figure lamassu (feminine apsasu). The Greek version here recalls the Near Eastern type.