Greece, Hellenistic Period, ca. 300 BCE. An earthy red pottery plaque beautifully showing a seated sphinx in relief. She is crouched, powerful legs folded beneath her; the details of her wings and hair are particularly well-rendered. Although the Great Sphinx of Giza is certainly the most famous, sphinxes have a large place in Greek mythology as well -- probably because of the intermixing of Egyptian and Greek culture via trade routes across the Mediterranean. The Greek version of the sphinx, unlike the male Egyptian one, is the head of a human female, the body of a lioness, the wings of an eagle, and a serpent's tail. Famously, the sphinx asks a riddle of travelers to the city of Thebes, which is solved by Oedipus. The Greek version of the sphinx is also sometimes associated with Hera, wife of Zeus. Size: 4" W x 3.75" H (10.2 cm x 9.5 cm)

Provenance: Ex - Prominent LA County collector who acquired these prior to 2000

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#116327

Intact, artwork very clear