Items Similar to Hand-Carved Alabaster Sphinx, Grand Tour Style, Early 20th Century
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
Hand-Carved Alabaster Sphinx, Grand Tour Style, Early 20th Century
$294.54
$368.1720% Off
£216
£27020% Off
€250.82
€313.5220% Off
CA$405.86
CA$507.3320% Off
A$446.14
A$557.6820% Off
CHF 234.22
CHF 292.7820% Off
MX$5,304.93
MX$6,631.1620% Off
NOK 3,007.94
NOK 3,759.9220% Off
SEK 2,739.91
SEK 3,424.8820% Off
DKK 1,874
DKK 2,342.5120% Off
About the Item
A small yet evocative example of Grand Tour style, this hand-carved alabaster sphinx figurine reflects the fascination with ancient Egyptian forms that flourished in early 20th-century European decorative arts. Crafted in veined alabaster, the surface reveals soft, milky tones punctuated by dramatic black inclusions—natural markings that enhance the sculptural presence of the piece.
Measuring 10.5 cm wide, 3 cm deep, and 6 cm high, the sphinx is a stylized rendering of the iconic reclining lion with human head. Its features, though softened by age, remain clearly articulated. A trace of red pigment in one eye suggests the sculpture may once have been partially painted—an echo of the polychrome detailing found in 19th-century archaeological revival objects.
Likely made for the Grand Tour market—a tradition in which young European aristocrats collected miniature classical and ancient-inspired artifacts as tokens of worldliness—this alabaster sphinx served as both ornament and keepsake. Today, it remains well-suited as a display piece, desk accent, or distinctive paperweight.
In good antique condition, showing light surface wear and patination consistent with age. A tactile and historically resonant piece.
- Dimensions:Height: 2.37 in (6 cm)Width: 4.14 in (10.5 cm)Depth: 1.19 in (3 cm)
- Style:Grand Tour (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1900-1909
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. In good antique condition, showing light surface wear and patination consistent with age.
- Seller Location:Glasgow, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6391247618512
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2019
1stDibs seller since 2022
139 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Beith, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllBlue Chalcedony Agate Bowl, Hand-Carved, Italy c. 1960s
Located in Glasgow, GB
Handcrafted in Italy during the 1960s, this shallow bowl has been carved from a thick slab of natural blue chalcedony agate. Measuring 15.5 cm in width, 11.5 cm in depth, and 2.5 cm ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-P...
Materials
Agate, Quartz
$229 Sale Price
40% Off
Rose Quartz, Natural Crystal, Polished Freeform Bowl, Brazil
Located in Glasgow, GB
A luminous rose quartz crystal bowl, hand-carved from natural Brazilian pink quartz. This freeform bowl has been shaped into a smooth, organic rectangular form with rounded edges and...
Category
Late 20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Rose Quartz
$240 Sale Price
49% Off
1950s Italian Rococo Style Gilded Putti Lamp on Pink Onyx Base
Located in Glasgow, GB
Gilded rococo style putti lamp on pink onyx plinth,
Crafted in Italy’s post-war design renaissance, in the 1950s, this gilded table lamp marries the playful charm of putti—cherubi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Revival Table Lamps
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
$204 Sale Price
75% Off
Art Deco ‘Alienware’ Vase, Ditmar Urbach, Czech Republic, 1930s
By Ditmar Urbach
Located in Glasgow, GB
Produced in Czechoslovakia during the 1930s, this tall ceramic vase is part of the now-celebrated ‘Alienware’ series by Ditmar Urbach, a manufacturer known for blending Art Deco form...
Category
Vintage 1930s Czech Art Deco Vases
Materials
Ceramic
$163 Sale Price
20% Off
1930s Pale Blue Art Deco Vase with Pan and Nymph Relief, Beswick
By Beswick
Located in Glasgow, GB
An elegant ceramic vase by Beswick, handcrafted in England during the 1930s—a period when Art Deco design explored both bold geometry and classical revival. This sculptural piece pre...
Category
Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Vases
Materials
Ceramic
1990s Art Deco Style White Glass Uplighter - Torchiere Style
By Cvv Vianne
Located in Glasgow, GB
In an ode to the streamlined geometry of Art Deco, this glass uplighter lamp captures the period's essence within a late 20th-century context.
Originating from the UK, this piece i...
Category
1990s British Art Deco Table Lamps
Materials
Opaline Glass
$272 Sale Price
50% Off
You May Also Like
Antique Limestone Sphinx Sculpture
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A characteristic sphinx sculpture nicely carved into finely grained limestone, dating from the 1800s. This sphinx is of interesting scale and makes a ...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Limestone
Pair of 19th Century Grand Tour Hand-Carved Marble Sphinx Sculptures
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of 19th-Century Grand Tour Hand-Carved Marble Sphinx Sculptures on Plinth Bases
Description:
A finely carved and substantial pair of Grand Tour-era marble sphinx sculptures, ea...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century European Grand Tour Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Hand Carved Alabaster Anubis Egyptian God Sculpture Paper Weight
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Hand-carved Egyptian Revival Anubis (the jackal-headed Egyptian god) sculpture carved in alabaster marble. The statue is styled after the Great Sphinx of Giza and features the body o...
Category
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
$210 Sale Price
40% Off
Painted Plaster Greek Inspired Double Sphinx Statue
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An impressive Egyptian Revival type cast stone statue with a unique interpretation of a Greek sphinx. The statue features a double-sided design with two figures showcasing long headd...
Category
Early 20th Century Hollywood Regency Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
Antique Egyptian Brass Sphinx on Onyx Base
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Antique Egyptian Brass Sphinx on Onyx Base.
Category
Vintage 1920s Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Pair 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Alabaster Sphinxes
Located in Buisson, FR
Pair small alabaster grand tour sphinxes.
Great to use as paper weights on your desk.
Italy circa 1850-1900.
Weathered,small losses and old repair
Mo...
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Paperweights
Materials
Alabaster
$389 Sale Price / set
51% Off