The great libraries and the ingenious systems that support them are the sphinxes of early twentieth century information systems—magnificent, monolithic and obsolete.
The scene is flanked by two sphinxes which are separated from it by a band of lotus blossoms and palmettes.
In the 1990s four new sphinxes were located on the roof.
During the orientalising period, such tripods were frequently decorated with figural protomes, in the shape of griffins, sphinxes and other fantastic creatures.
He is fueled by contradictory impulses, represented by the black and white sphinxes that pull his chariot.
The top of the plaque shows a pair of sphinxes flanking a lotus blossom and framed by two date palms.
The images of fantastic animals, (griffins, sphinxes, winged animals, and beasts with human heads) were depicted in their works with a distinctive style.
The second rower's shield depicts a flaming altar with four sphinxes, a coiling serpent and an open eye that looks downwards.
