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Details

LOT 0017

Phoenician Bone Sphinx

5TH CENTURY B.C.

1 3/8 in. (21.2 grams, 35 mm).

Seated with curving wings flanking the body and stocky body resting on over-sized lion-paws, small female head with rounded facial features and curly hair; hollow inside.

Provenance

Ex Dr Leo Mildenberg, Zurich, 1990s.
with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Footnotes

Leo Mildenberg (1913–2001) was a distinguished numismatist and antiquities collector, widely recognised for his deep passion for ancient art, especially animal figures. Born in Germany and later based in Switzerland, Mildenberg built a renowned private collection that reflected his keen eye for craftsmanship and historical significance. His collection spanned cultures and periods, including Egyptian, Near Eastern, Greek, and Roman artefacts, with a particular emphasis on zoomorphic sculptures and votive figures.
Portions of Mildenberg’s collection have been exhibited in major museums and featured in auction catalogues that remain important reference sources for scholars and collectors alike.

CONDITION

VETTING:

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AUCTIONS:

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LOT 0017

Phoenician Bone Sphinx

Estimate £800 - 1,000€930 - 1,160 (for guidance only)$1,080 - 1,350 (for guidance only)

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