Arslan Tash(?), Syria / Plaque with sphinxes / 9th?8th century B.C.

Arslan Tash(?), Syria
Plaque with sphinxes
9th?8th century B.C.
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Creator Nationality: Asian; Middle Eastern; Syrian
Creator Name-CRT: Arslan Tash(?), Syria
Title: Plaque with sphinxes
View: Principal view
Creation Start Date: 0
Creation End Date: 0
Creation Date: 9th?8th century B.C.
Creation Place: Arslan Tash(?), Syria
Object Type: Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Materials and Techniques: Ivory with traces of gold foil
Dimensions: L. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm)
Description: This ivory plaque may have come from the Neo-Assyrian building at the outpost of Arslan Tash in Syria. While the subject of the recumbent winged sphinx with wig, broad collar, and lotus flower under the front paw is an Egyptian convention, the facial type is Syrian in style?oval face, small mouth, and receding chin. Often in the Syrian style, single figures are shown in profile and juxtaposed in symmetrical compositions for large pieces of furniture. This is the case here with the two sphinxes, back to back, forming parts of two separate scenes, perhaps flanking trees with counterparts that are now missing. The seated sphinx has sharp features and wears a cap, very different from the Egyptian-style types: he may be a male figure. The sharply cut, tiered wings of both figures are also characteristic of this style.
AMICA Contributor: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Owner Location: New York, New York
ID Number: 57.80.4
Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1957
Copyright: Copyright ? 2002 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All rights reserved.
Rights: http://www.metmuseum.org/education/er_photo_lib.asp
Style or Period: Syrian style
Style or Period: Neo-Assyrian Period
AMICA ID: MMA_.57.80.4
AMICA Library Year: 2002
Media Metadata Rights: Copyright (c) 2002 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All Rights Reserved

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