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Preview image of work. terracotta,  Plaquette of a Sphinx 1672

1923.7

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Plaquette of a Sphinx

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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.