Remarks: Sphinx acroterion. Handmade, half life size. Ridge tile with slightly rounded top front edge. W paw 4.9. Solid sheet of terra cotta between forelegs. Round strut between wings, Th 3, H 8.5, W ca. 10. Th wing 2.4. Torso hollow. Chest rounded with raised, curving panels to either side continuing inner line of each foreleg and becoming wings. Vertical hole in back of head and below testicles and tail. Broken recently and not yet repaired. Scar on back between wings and underside of belly. Th wall 1.9- 2.4. Torso and tops of hind legs hollow with uneven, lumpy interior. Large round scar for tail (6.5-7) above vent hole; on upper back, elongated scar where tail rested, 4 cm from round scar. Diam vent holes 2.4 (below tail) 1.8 (behind testicles) pushed through from outside in. H right wing 27.5, Th at top 1.5. W leg 5.3. Above elbow joint of leg, on both sides, curving recessed channel modeling bones and muscles.
Bibliography: Poggio Civitate 1970, p. 30, no. 12, Pl. 16 & 18; AJA 76 (1972) 249, no. 1; Cristofani 1975, p.16, no. 1; Riis 1981, p. 68, Type 5B; Fullerton 1982, pp. 2-5, no. 1, pls. 1-3; Sprenger & Bartoloni 1983, p. 92, fig. 54; Case e palazzi d'Etruria 1985, pp. 111-112, 3.304; Bruni et al. 1988, p. 54, fig. 57; Edlund-Berry 1992, p. 223, B.1, fig. 97; Phillips 1993, pp. 23-24, fig. 17; Newland 1994, pp. 29-30, no. 1; Winter 2009a, pp. 202-203, 3.E.2.c, fig. 3.35. Ill. 3.8.3; Winter 2009b, pp. 69-70, fig. 1
Publication record: Antiquarium di Poggio Civitate. Author: Bruni, S. et al.. Place of publication: Firenze. Publication Date: 1988 Case e palazzi d'Etruria. Author: Stopponi, S. (ed.). Place of publication: Milano. Publication Date: 1985 Considerazioni su Poggio Civitate (Murlo, Siena). Author: Cristofani, M.. Journal and volume number: Prospettiva 1. Publication Date: 1975. Pages: 9-17 Etruscan types of heads. Author: Riis, P.J.. Place of publication: Copenhagen. Publication Date: 1981 In the hills of Tuscany. Recent excavations at the Etruscan site of Poggio Civitate (Murlo, Siena). Author: Phillips, K.M., Jr.. Place of publication: Philadelphia. Publication Date: 1993 Poggio Civitate (Murlo, Siena): the Archaic Sanctuary. Catalogue of the exhibition, Florence-Siena, 1970. Place of publication: Firenze. Publication Date: 1970 Solving the riddle of the sphinx on the roof. Author: Winter, N.A.. Journal and volume number: Etruscan by Definition. Place of publication: London. Publication Date: 2009. Pages: 69-72 Symbols of Wealth and Power: Architectural Terracotta Decoration in Etruria and Central Italy, 640-510 B.C.. Author: Winter, N.A.. Journal and volume number: MAAR Suppl. 9. Place of publication: Ann Arbor. Publication Date: 2009 The Etruscans: their history, art, and architecture. Author: Sprenger, M. & G. Bartoloni. Place of publication: New York. Publication Date: 1983 The akroterial sculpture and architectural terracottas from the Upper Building at Murlo. Author: Newland, D.M.. Journal and volume number: Diss. Bryn Mawr College. Publication Date: 1994 The seated and standing statue akroteria from Poggio Civitate (Murlo). Author: Edlund-Berry, I.. Journal and volume number: Archaeologica 96. Place of publication: Roma. Publication Date: 1992 The terracotta sphinx akroteria from Poggio Civitate (Murlo). Author: Fullerton, M.D.. Journal and volume number: RM 89. Publication Date: 1982. Pages: 1-26
Type of decoration: Sphinx
Last Recorded Collection: Antiquarium di Poggio Civitate
Mouldmade: no
Height: 35.4
MPD: 18
Clay: 2.5YR 5/6- 5/8
Paint: Traces of red paint on bottom of long right lock of hair and on torso/wing below, testicles and side of belly above and side of torso below wing 10R 4/8. Surface brown 5YR 5/6.
