Terracotta head of a woman, probably a sphinx

Unknown

1st quarter of the 5th century BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

Terracotta sculpture of large scale and high quality is rare in Greek art of the mainland as against that of southern Italy, for example. The proportions and the break at the neck suggest that this exceptionally fine head belonged to a sphinx, possibly the akroterion of a small building. (Akroteria decorated the apex and corners of roofs.) Of particular interest also is the way polychromy is used for such details as the earrings and the headband.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1st quarter of the 5th century BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1947