Nenfro statue of a winged lion

Unknown

ca. 550 BCE · Nenfro · Greek and Roman Art

Several statues of this type, made from nenfro, a kind of volcanic stone used extensively at Vulci, depict winged lions and sphinxes. These were set up to protect the entrances to subterranean chamber tombs covered by a tumulus (earthen mound). They often appear in pairs and represent the Etruscan response to a long tradition of guardian figures stretching back to ancient Egypt and the Near East.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 550 BCE

Medium

Nenfro

Culture

Etruscan

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1960