Pair of carved wood lamps, 19th century

Falling somewhere between sirens and sphinxes, these two creatures draw from various animals and reference several polymorphic mythological monsters. Their bodies, which terminate in the tails of serpents or sea monsters, evoke the nymph Scylla—transformed into a fearsome beast by Circe. Their wings are a direct reference to the form of sirens—the highly dangerous bird-women who imperiled Odysseus’s voyage. Finally, their lion-like forelegs suggest the anatomy of a sphinx. These sculptures are the work of an artist with a keen interest in ancient myths and a deep understanding of how they were depicted in classical art. Through the medium of wood, the artist has brought these one-of-a-kind lamps to life. The pieces rest on brass bases and show some minor, discreet losses to the wood.