Pair Of Winged Marble Sphinxes – Second Half Of The 18th Century

An important pair of winged sphinxes sculpted in marble, dating to the second half of the 18th century and attributable to the late Baroque/proto-Neoclassical style.

The sculptures depict sphinxes with a female face, a leonine body, and outstretched wings, following a clearly classically inspired iconography, widespread in 18th-century architecture and monumental decoration. The flat upper portion indicates an original architectural function, likely as brackets, supports, or decorative elements inserted into a noble context (palace, staircase, portal, or monumental furnishings).

The marble workmanship demonstrates solid and refined modeling, with particular attention to the faces, the rendering of the wings, and the anatomical positioning of the forelimbs. The material features an antique patina, with wear, small abrasions, and signs of aging consistent with its age and original architectural location.
Period: Second half of the 18th century
Condition: Good overall condition, with signs of age and use; minor losses and wear consistent with age