A large sphinx sculpture in Archaic style that stood atop a column near the Temple of Apollo. The sphinx was dedicated by the island of Naxos in the 6th century BCE.
The Naxian Sphinx, a large marble sculpture seated atop a column that originally sat near the Temple of Apollo. The style of the face, with "almond" eyes and a beaming smile, is characteristic of the Archaic Period (700-500 BCE), and it is dated between 570 and 560 BCE. A votive offering by the island of Naxos, it stands over two meters tall, and the complete monument (sphinx and column) stood 14.4 meters, making it a prominent sight to ancient visitors. It is a standard Greek Sphinx, with a woman's head, eagle's torso, and lion's body.
Creation date unknown. Photograph processed July 1978. Notes written on the slide or index: Naxian sphinx - Delphi c. 570-560 B.C.
