Tridacna shell with engravings of sphinxes
Tridacna shell with engravings of sphinxes
Eastern Mediterranean, probably Phoenician
c. 650 BC
Dimensions
12.50cm wide 6.40cm high (4.92 inches wide 2.52 inches high)
Provenance
Formerly Coll. of the archaeologist P. Amandry (1912-2006). Publ. R. A. Stucky, Die gravierten Tridacnamuscheln, Diss. Bern 1969, Dédalo 19, 1974, 52 Nr. 80 Pl. LVI; P. Amandry, Objets orientaux en Grèce et en Italie, Syria 35, 1958, 96-102.Description / Expertise
The curved fragment is covered with rich engravings including two recumbent sphinxes on the outside and one recumbent sphinx on the rounded part of the inside. The interstices on both sides filled with palmettes, lotus blossoms and buds. The shell may have been used as a cosmetic palette, a container for cosmetics or as a cultic drinking or libation vessel. Only 36 pieces are known.
Jean-David Cahn AG
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CH - 4052 Basel
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T +41 (0)61 271 57 33
Malzgasse 23
CH - 4052 Basel
Switzerland
T +41 (0)61 271 67 55
T +41 (0)61 271 57 33