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Limestone funerary stele (shaft) surmounted by two sphinxes

last quarter of the 5th century BCE

Not on view

Elegant sphinxes are positioned back-to-back with their heads turned so that they could be seen in three-quarters perspective. The calm beauty of the creature's head, the form of the palmettes, and the egg and dart molding that decorates the base of the platform are typical of Greek art of the fifth century B.C.

Limestone funerary stele (shaft) surmounted by two sphinxes, Limestone, Cypriot — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

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Title: Limestone funerary stele (shaft) surmounted by two sphinxes

Period: Classical

Date: last quarter of the 5th century BCE

Culture: Cypriot

Medium: Limestone

Dimensions: WebPub GR 2012 Cesnola: 34 3/4 × 26 15/16 in., 191 lb. (88.2 × 68.5 cm)

Classification: Stone Sculpture

Credit Line: The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76

Accession Number: 74.51.2499

Chronology

The Eastern Mediterranean, 1000 B.C.-1 A.D.

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Greek and Roman Art at The Met

The Museum's collection of Greek and Roman art comprises more than 30,000 works ranging in date from the Neolithic period to the time of the Roman emperor Constantine's conversion to Christianity in A.D. 312.

Limestone funerary stele (shaft) surmounted by two sphinxes

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Artwork Details

Timeline of Art History

The Eastern Mediterranean, 1000 B.C.-1 A.D.

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Limestone funerary stele (shaft) surmounted by two sphinxes

Open Access

API

Artwork Details

Learn more about this artwork

Timeline of Art History

The Eastern Mediterranean, 1000 B.C.-1 A.D.

Related Artworks

Limestone sarcophagus

Limestone sarcophagus: the Amathus sarcophagus

Limestone funerary stele (shaft) with a "Cypriot capital"

Limestone head of beardless male votary

Limestone head of a bearded man

Resources for Research

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Greek and Roman Art at The Met