A Fine Pair English Regency Carved Marble Egyptian Sphinxes

An monumental and impressive pair of English Regency, circa 1800-1820 laying Sphinx. A sphinx is a mythical creature with the head of a human, the body of a lion, and the wings of an eagle. In Greek tradition, the sphinx is a treacherous and merciless being with the head of a woman, the haunches of a lion, and the wings of a bird. Each Sphinx is sculpted out of one solid piece of marble and is raised by a rectangular base. Each is poised in an elegant traditional position with wonderfully sculpted facial expressions and opposite pointed tails Measuring approx 22" tall x 32" long x 11" wide. Please note they have been outdoors and exposed to the acidic elements leaving a rough finish hard to capture in the photographing and losses to the nose/tight hairlines as shown, see photos. The sphinx has had a long history of secrecy and intrigue, being viewed by many cultures as guardians of knowledge and as speaking in riddles. Provenance: from an important Cleveland Ohio private collection

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