Pair Of Sphinxes To South Of Temple In Theatre In The Gardens At The Bury At Grid Reference Tl 1887 2205

This listing describes a pair of statues of sphinxes located to the south of the temple in the theatre gardens at The Bury, St Paul's Walden. These statues date from the 18th century and are likely English, inspired by French models from the time of Louis XIV.

The sphinxes are made of lead and are positioned on limestone plinths. Each statue is a crouched half-lifesize figure with extended paws, facing one another. The eastern figure features a tasselled covering that extends to form the back of a dress, with enlarged shoulders to suggest a female torso and hair styled in a kerchief. The base of this figure is rusticated. The stone plinth has a broad moulded base and cap, with a bead-moulded sunk panel on each face. The western figure is similar, but its dress has bows at the shoulders, and it wears a choker with hair styled in a bun. The figures do not represent any specific individuals.