Late 19th Century Pair French Stone Sphinx Figures of Madame De Pompadour

Details

Description

An exceptional and monumental pair of late 19th century French sphinx figures modeled as Madame de Pompadour, masterfully carved in … Read more An exceptional and monumental pair of late 19th century French sphinx figures modeled as Madame de Pompadour, masterfully carved in stone and executed in the refined Greco-Egyptian taste of the period. These striking sculptures merge the likeness of the famed mistress of King Louis XV with the mythological form of the sphinx, embodying elegance, intellect, and symbolic power.
Each figure presents a finely carved female bust with aristocratic features, elaborate coiffure, and delicately rendered drapery, seamlessly transitioning into the muscular, recumbent body of a lion. The craftsmanship reflects strong neoclassical influence, while the subject pays homage to allegorical traditions and Pompadour’s enduring legacy as a patron of the arts.
The dense stone medium lends the pair a substantial architectural presence, complemented by a rich, naturally aged surface that enhances the sculptural depth and detail. Resting on integral plinth bases, these sphinxes are very heavy and ideally suited as entryway statements, or focal elements in a grand interior.
Details:
* Origin: France
* Subject: Madame de Pompadour as Sphinx
* Date: Late 19th Century
* Style: Neoclassical / Egyptian Revival
* Material: Carved stone
* Dimensions (each): 31.5" H x 44.5" D x 18" W See less