PHOENICIAN PLAQUE WITH WINGED SPHINX 9th-8th century BC A square stone plaque pierced for suspension with billetted border enclosing a reserved figure of a regardant winged sphinx with tail raised and beaded hair. 138 grams, 94mm (3 3/4"). Fair condition; repaired. Provenance Property of a London gentleman; aquired in the late 1970s and 1980s. Footnotes The sphinx is first found in ancient Egypt where it is commonly seen with the head of a man, but also sometimes with that of an animal such as a hawk. The imagery later passed into Greek art where it is more often seen with the head of a woman. It is also present in the art and sculpture of the Mycenaean, Assyrian, Persian and Phoenician civilisations. In Egypt the sphinx is closely associated with the power of the Pharaoh, whereas in Greece it is seen more as a monster. In the Near East it has more of a guardian role and is found flanking the doorways to palaces and temples and decorating furniture. This piece shows a mixture of Egyptian and early Greek styles and was possibly a decorative wall fitting for an important building.
PHOENICIAN PLAQUE WITH WINGED SPHINX 9th-8th century BC A square stone plaque pierced for suspension with billetted border enclosing a reserved figure of a regardant winged sphinx with tail raised and beaded hair. 138 grams, 94mm (3 3/4"). Fair condition; repaired. Provenance Property of a London gentleman; aquired in the late 1970s and 1980s. Footnotes The sphinx is first found in ancient Egypt where it is commonly seen with the head of a man, but also sometimes with that of an animal such as a hawk. The imagery later passed into Greek art where it is more often seen with the head of a woman. It is also present in the art and sculpture of the Mycenaean, Assyrian, Persian and Phoenician civilisations. In Egypt the sphinx is closely associated with the power of the Pharaoh, whereas in Greece it is seen more as a monster. In the Near East it has more of a guardian role and is found flanking the doorways to palaces and temples and decorating furniture. This piece shows a mixture of Egyptian and early Greek styles and was possibly a decorative wall fitting for an important building.
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