19th century, Pair of sphinxes
Please sign in so that we can notify you about a reply
19th century Pair of sphinxes Wood, 16.5 x 15.5 x 6 cm Present in Mesopotamian, Egyptian and Greek mythology, the sphinx is usually depicted with a human head and a lion's body. Sometimes, however, it is also attributed to the wings of a bird of prey and a snake instead of the tail, and the human head is replaced with the heads of a hawk or goat. In the three mythologies, however, it has different origins and functions. In Egypt the sphinx is the guardian of the pyramids which, silent and imperturbable, seem to be as ancient as the earth itself. In Mesopotamia it is placed side by side with the figures of the lamassu, hybrid creatures with human head and body or lion or bull and also equipped with wings, considered beneficial entities bearers of fo