Lot 1148:
SILVER RING-BEZEL WITH SPHINX
Greek World, c. 6th - 2nd century BC.
Silver ring bezel with an engraved depiction of a sphinx above a horizontal plane.
Dimensions: 15 x 12 mm.
Weight: 1.93 g. 1.92 g. 14.5 mm. The representation of the Sphinx, a winged monster with a lion's body and a human head, is one of the longest-lived of the ancient world. Already present in the Middle East, it found its place in Greek mythology with the myth of Oedipus. According to the story, a Sphinx was stationed at the entrance to the city of Thebes, asking all passers-by the same riddle; if they did not know how to answer they were strangled. Oedipus managed to solve the riddle, causing the monster's suicide.
Greek World, c. 6th - 2nd century BC.
Silver ring bezel with an engraved depiction of a sphinx above a horizontal plane.
Dimensions: 15 x 12 mm.
Weight: 1.93 g. 1.92 g. 14.5 mm. The representation of the Sphinx, a winged monster with a lion's body and a human head, is one of the longest-lived of the ancient world. Already present in the Middle East, it found its place in Greek mythology with the myth of Oedipus. According to the story, a Sphinx was stationed at the entrance to the city of Thebes, asking all passers-by the same riddle; if they did not know how to answer they were strangled. Oedipus managed to solve the riddle, causing the monster's suicide.