Iran

Achaemenid Persian Winged Sphinxes and the Faravahar: Detailed Architectural and Ornamental Analysis from the Palace of Darius I at Susa

2323

Circa 510–500 BCE (late 6th to early 5th century BCE). Historical Epoch: Achaemenid Empire, during the reign of King Darius I the Great.

This object is a monumental architectural glazed-brick relief panel featuring a symmetrical heraldic composition. It depicts a pair of majestic Winged Sphinxes (or composite guardian creatures with human-headed male profiles and lion bodies) standing in profile, facing inward toward a central axis, surmounted by the powerful hovering symbol of the Faravahar (the winged disk or divine royal glory/khwarrah).