Vases Figured Corinthian Capital from a Funerary Buildin...
Figured Corinthian Capital from a Funerary Building

Figured Corinthian Capital from a Funerary Building

350–250 B.C.
Corinthian capital with a conjoined sphinx on the front and a palmette on the left and right sides. On the reverse is a slightly projecting piece with a flat contact surface, suggesting that the capital was placed directly against a wall, but not directly engaged.
The form is typical of capitals that decorated Tarantine funerary buildings.

The conjoined sphinx on the front has two seated winged bodies that are rendered in profile, merging in a single frontal head. The sphinx’s long hair is swept back from the temples and falls in tresses on the shoulders. The sphinx wears a beaded necklace and a tall crown (polos) made up of petal-like elements.
Date
350–250 B.C.
Culture
Greek (South Italian, Tarantine)
Dimensions
H: 20.00 cm W: 24.00 cm
Medium
Limestone
Museum
J. Paul Getty Museum
Accession Number
96.AA.245
Image Source
getty_cc0
Images courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (CC0)