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Ruth Garrido Vila

Superb Kylix Attic in ceramic with felines, sphinxes and cervids from the 6th-5th century B.C. Restored. 

Acquired from a Spanish private collection, M.T in the 80's.

Once upon a time in ancient Greece, there was a magnificent city named Thebes. Thebes was known for its grandeur and prosperity, but it was also plagued by a mysterious and fearsome creature known as the Sphinx.

The Sphinx was a creature of great power and wisdom, with the body of a lion and the head of a human. She had the voice of a seductive enchantress and possessed the ability to speak riddles. The Sphinx would perch herself on a rocky outcrop just outside the city gates, guarding the entrance to Thebes.

Anyone who wished to enter or leave the city had to face the Sphinx and solve her riddle. If they failed to answer correctly, the Sphinx would pounce upon them, tearing them apart with her razor-sharp claws. As a result, many brave and intelligent individuals had met a gruesome fate, leaving the city in constant fear.

The ruler of Thebes, King Laius, was desperate to rid his city of this dreadful menace. He proclaimed that whoever could solve the Sphinx's riddle and free Thebes from her terror would be rewarded with great riches and marry his beautiful daughter, Queen Jocasta.

News of this reached a young and determined prince named Oedipus. He was known for his intelligence and bravery, and he saw this as an opportunity to prove himself. With a confident stride, Oedipus approached the Sphinx, ready to face her riddle.

The Sphinx, intrigued by this young prince's courage, asked her riddle: "What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?"

Oedipus pondered the question deeply, his mind racing through various possibilities. Suddenly, a spark of insight ignited within him. He stood tall and confidently replied, "The answer to your riddle is man. In the morning of his life, he crawls on all fours as a baby. At noon, in the prime of his adulthood, he walks on two legs. And in the evening, as old age sets in, he relies on a cane, representing the third leg."

The Sphinx was astounded. No one had ever answered her riddle correctly before. With a mix of astonishment and admiration, she conceded defeat and said, "You have solved my riddle, Oedipus, and freed Thebes from my grip. You are worthy indeed."

True to his word, King Laius rewarded Oedipus with great riches, and Oedipus married Queen Jocasta, becoming the ruler of Thebes. The city celebrated their hero, grateful for his bravery and intellect.

However, little did Oedipus know that his victory over the Sphinx would lead him down a path of tragedy and self-discovery. The story of Oedipus, his tragic fate, and the consequences of his actions became one of the most well-known tales of Greek mythology, forever intertwined with the enigmatic Sphinx that once guarded the gates of Thebes.


In ancient Greece, the depiction of sphinxes was sometimes used as a means to ward off evil. Sphinxes were believed to possess protective qualities, and their presence was thought to bring good fortune and guard against malevolent forces.

The belief in sphinxes as protective beings can be seen in various forms of ancient Greek art and architecture. Sphinxes were commonly depicted as statues or reliefs placed at the entrances of important buildings, such as temples, palaces, and tombs. These sphinxes served as guardians, watching over the sacred spaces and deterring evil spirits from entering.

One notable example of sphinxes used for protection is the Sphinx Alley in Delphi. Delphi was a significant religious site in ancient Greece, known as the seat of the oracle of Apollo. The entrance to the sacred area of Delphi was flanked by a row of sphinxes, symbolising their role in safeguarding the sacred site from harm.

Additionally, sphinxes were also frequently featured on various objects, such as pottery, jewellery, and amulets. These items were believed to carry the protective energy of the sphinx, acting as talismans to ward off evil influences.

It's important to note that while sphinxes were associated with protection, they were also known for their enigmatic nature and their ability to pose challenging riddles. The concept of solving riddles to gain access to knowledge or treasure was prevalent in ancient Greek mythology. Thus, the Sphinx's role as a guardian was often intertwined with its reputation as a creature of wisdom and mystery.

The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally.
Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot.
The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
Important: For destinations out of European territory: all our items will be shipped after obtaining a definitive LICENSE EXPORTATION by the Ministry of Culture of Spain. We inform our clients that it may take between 4-8 weeks. According to Spanish legislation, items sent outside the European Union are subjected to export taxes. The taxes will be added to the invoice, at the buyer's expense. These export fees are fixed on the final auction price and the tax rate is not applied directly on the total value of the item to be exported, but rather the different percentages by sections are applied to it:
Up to 6,000 euros: 5%./ From 6.001 to 60.000 euros: 10 %.


Unknown

Ceramic, Attic Kylix

Archaeology

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Period

Han Dynasty (206 B.C.- 220 A.D.)

Tang Dynasty (618-907)

Khmer Empire (Cambodia) (802-1432)

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

Northern Song (960-1127)

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Subject

Egyptian mythological figures

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Ancient Roman

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Signature

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Before 1400

1400-1900

Provenance

Private Collection

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1st - 3rd Century AD - Europe

Ancient Roman Glass decorated Perfume/Ointment Bottle - 5 cm  (No Reserve Price)

Total weight: 18.52 g

Ancient Roman Bronze, Rare Eagle Ornament Jewellery applique  (No Reserve Price)

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