This mythical creature, a symbol of earthly divinity and heavenly power, has the body and legs of a lion, the chest and wings of a bird, and the head of a woman
Was considered as having ferocious strength, and was thought of as a guardian, often flanking the entrances to temples. Sphinxes depictions are generally associated with architectural structures such as royal tombs or religious temples.
The most famous myth involving a sphinx is that of the Theban prince the most famous myth involving a sphinx is that of the Theban prince Oedipus: The territory of Thebes in Greece was terrorized by a sphinx and Hesiod tells us in his Theogony that the creature was born from the Chimaera (a fire-breathing monster with three heads and a body part lion, goat, snake and dragon) . The sphinx created drought and famine and would only leave the Thebans alone if they solved her riddle. This was to define the creature that has two, three or four feet and although it is able to change its form, it moves slower the more feet it uses. Anyone who dared to answer the riddle and failed to do so correctly was killed and devoured by the sphinx. When the sphinx killed his son Haimon, Kreon, the king of Thebes became so desperate at the situation that he offered his kingdom and his daughter Iokaste to anyone who could answer the riddle.
Oedipus took up the challenge and gave the correct answer --man-- and in frustration and anger the sphinx leapt to her death from the acropolis of Thebes.
Archaic period, 560 BC, Delphi Museum
H: 23 cm
Material, casting stone - keramin, old aged marble patina
The price is for one piece.
