Pair Of Sphinxes In Carrara Marble, Early 18th Century.

-Pair of Carrara marble sphinxes, early 18th century.

-A hybrid figure of a winged lion with a human head, the sphinx was born in Egypt where, originally, it represented the Pharaoh. In a lying position, with its legs extended parallel, it symbolizes protective strength and wisdom and was generally placed in front of temples. The motif spread throughout the Mediterranean world; it passed into Greek art where it became feminized. Borrowing elegance, the sphinx figure exalts femininity and symbolizes fertility.

-The sphinx figure was taken up by European sculptors of the 17th and 18th centuries to adorn the gardens of great palaces. Among the best known, we can cite the sculpted sphinxes of Nicolas Coustou (1658-1733) for the Château de Chantilly, those of René Frémin (1672-1670) for the Palais de la Granja (Segovia, Spain) or those of Joseph Deschamps (1743-1788) for the Petit Trianon at the Palace of Versailles.

-The pair of sphinxes that we present here are part of this tradition. The human and feminine figure of the sculpture surpasses the animal character. This femininity is represented in the form of young women with fine features, their hair pulled up in a bun, dressed in a tunic with elegant pleats and a collar. One looking to the right, the other to the left.

-Work from the beginning of the 18th century. Presented in a beautiful state of conservation.

-Dimensions: length: 92 cm Width: 63.5 cm Height: 38 cm

Provenance: Collection particulière, France.