TWO BRONZE FIREPLACE SCULPTURES

France 19th century
Pair of fireplace sculptures cast in bronze, depicting Greek mythological sphinxes. Beyond their symbolic role as guardians of the domestic hearth, they also served a practical purpose: forming a mechanical barrier against shooting embers and acting as heat accumulators and radiators. 34x20x8 cm. In Egyptian mythology, the sphinx is a guardian and a symbol of royal power and strength. Unlike the Egyptian version, the Greek sphinx is more mischievous and dangerous. The most famous story involving the sphinx is that of Oedipus — the creature guarded the entrance to Thebes and challenged travellers with a riddle; those who failed to solve it were slain. In any case, such two resolute guardians of the family hearth may still find their rightful place even today — their time is far from over. Condition A.