Pyxis

Ivory; six pieces of bulbous part of a pyxis with low relief of female sphinx.

Muscarella Publication: "Three joining fragments of a damaged pyxis that form a complete original height. In heraldic position are two couchant sphinxes wearing soft pointed hats. The one preserved has its right wing extended forward touching a palm frond, the other rests along its body; the left wing of the other sphinx touches the other side of the palm. The wings have sections cut out to receive inlays; small drill holes are extant. A small hole drilled within the incised eye once held another inlay. The scene is framed by a zig-zag border above, a plain banded one below. Both exterior and interior are highly polished. At the base of the interior is a narrow inset to receive the separately made bottom held by dowels of which the hole for one is preserved."