Sphinx - III
The body is shown to the right, squatting on the hind legs, while the head is turned toward the viewer. On the head she wears a “polos “, which was originally decorated with painted rosettes and lotus buds. The hair at the front sets in waves on the forehead, and three beaded tresses hang to right and left of the face. The rear surface is roughly worked. The sphinx wears a necklace. The details are engraved only on the front wing, towards the viewer.
The sphinx, the demonic guardian of the tomb, was set above a grave stele as a crowing.
Source Nikolaos Kaltsas, “Sculpture in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens”
Archaic period marble sculpture
Height 69 cm.
Pentelic marble
570 – 550 BC
From Spata, Attica
Athens, National Archaeological Museum, Inv. no. 28
Sphinx - III
The body is shown to the right, squatting on the hind legs, while the head is turned toward the viewer. On the head she wears a “polos “, which was originally decorated with painted rosettes and lotus buds. The hair at the front sets in waves on the forehead, and three beaded tresses hang to right and left of the face. The rear surface is roughly worked. The sphinx wears a necklace. The details are engraved only on the front wing, towards the viewer.
The sphinx, the demonic guardian of the tomb, was set above a grave stele as a crowing.
Source Nikolaos Kaltsas, “Sculpture in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens”
Archaic period marble sculpture
Height 69 cm.
Pentelic marble
570 – 550 BC
From Spata, Attica
Athens, National Archaeological Museum, Inv. no. 28