Art of the Western World Project

Marble capital and finial in the form of a sphinx

Period:Archaic

Date:ca. 530 B.C.

Culture:Greek, Attic

Medium:Marble, Parian

Classification:Stone Sculpture

Accession Number:11.185d, x

Human-headed winged bull (Lamassu)

Period:Neo-Assyrian

Date:ca. 883–859 B.C.

Geography:Mesopotamia, Nimrud (ancient Kalhu)

Culture:Assyrian

Medium:Gypsum alabaster

Classification:Stone-Reliefs-Inscribed

Accession Number:32.143.1

Both artwork have human head with a body of animal, also they both have wings. While the sphinx from Greek art represented the guardian of the dead, Lamassu from the Assryian art is believed that it protects and supports important Gates and the king himself. Lamassu scelpture was made of gypsum alabaster, while the sphinix from the Greek art was made of stone. Lamassu sculptures was used between the ca. 883–859 B.C., the sphinx was used ca. 530 B.C..