Pair Of French Sphinxes In Patinated Bronze And Gilt Bronze On Granite Bases, Circa 1880

Description: An elegant pair of French sphinx sculptures, dating from around 1880, crafted in patinated bronze and resting on granite bases adorned with gilt bronze mounts. Each figure depicts a reclining female sphinx, combining a powerful, lion-like body with a serene and idealized, partially veiled female head, reflecting the refined aesthetic of late 19th-century French decorative arts. The sculptural modeling is both expressive and balanced, with strong volumes and finely rendered details. The granite bases, of remarkable architectural design, are enhanced by gilt-bronze mounts decorated with an egg-and-dart frieze, a classic ornamental motif that reinforces the archaeological and historicist character of the ensemble. The iconography of the sphinx reflects the 19th-century European fascination with ancient Egypt and the Orient, a fascination that intensified in France after the Napoleonic campaigns and the rise of Egyptology. Within French decorative arts, particularly under the Second Empire and its successors, these motifs were reinterpreted with a refined academic and ornamental approach. Hybrid guardians traditionally associated with mystery and protection, these sphinxes function both as decorative objects and as symbols – ideal for adorning a mantelpiece, console table, or elegant interior composition. Dimensions (each): Height: 26 cm Width: 29 cm Depth: 13 cm Condition: Very good condition. Slight signs of wear due to age. Patina and gilt bronze mounts well preserved.