Oil Lamp in the Form of a Female Sphinx

Follower of Andrea Briosco, called Riccio

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture depicts a creature that combines features of a human and an animal. It has the head of a person with stylized hair resembling ram horns, a human-like face with prominent cheeks, and a body resembling a seated animal adorned with decorative elements resembling wings or scrolls on its sides. The sculpture is crafted from a dark material, possibly bronze, with an aged patina giving it a deep brown or black appearance with hints of golden highlights on its edges. The sculpture is small in scale and sits on a uniform base.