In the 16th century, a style of European art known as Mannerism emerged. During this period, sculptures gained increased importance, as they allowed artists to adhere to themes associated with Mannerism: elongation of figures and the use of the human form as the subject. Our sphinxes are after the Mannerist sphinx, affectionately referred to as a “French sphinx”, which is a recumbent lion body. Their faces are reminiscent of a young woman, with elegantly styled hair and a bow on top paired with a band across the brow. Both sphinxes are wearing an ornate vestment that hangs over the back before wrapping tightly around the torso. The cloth is adorned with an embroidered-like rinceaux consisting of scalloped shells, gadrooned leaves, and anthemion. Both sculptures are signed on the right side of the body (at the base of the cloth), reading “Publd by F. Austin Oct 1833”.

Based on Greek mythology (there is a similar ancient Egyptian version that has the countenance of a male) of a hybrid creature with the head of a human woman, the body of a lion, and the wings of an eagle, our gorgeous pair of red stoneware sphinxes are by the British mason/sculptor, Felix Austin (of Austin and Seeley fame). The original pair would have been made in 1833.  A similar pair can be found in the gardens of Blickling Hall, one of the most important Jacobean houses in England.

These sphinxes would make fantastic ornaments in a garden or flanking a walkway. They most recently were found on a property in Les Alpilles, in the South of France, as statues in a jardin d’hiver.

CONDITION: Very good antique condition with light buildup. Traces of lichen, resulting in areas with a gray patina with black mottling. Some fleabites and age separations, both commensurate with age and exposure to the elements.