English: This sphinx is a part of five unique exhibits, found in the royal necropolis of ancient Tamassos on January 31th 1997, during conservation work of the two royal tombs. The group consist two oversize lions - one of which is not exhibited as only half was presented - two lions of smaller dimensions and two sphinxes. They were not found in situ, that is in the position where they were originally deposited in antiquity but at a small depth from the surface and almost overlapping one another.

It is possible to assume, on the basis of their apotropaic attitude as well as on the fact that the rare side was left almost totally unworked, that they were placed on either side of the entrance to the dromos that led to another royal tomb at Tamassos. This hypothesis is confirmed by the fact that a third royal tomb was reported to have been found in the area which was, however destroyed during the course of the previous century, its masonry reused as building material.

This sculpture, dateable to the 6th century B.C. the Cypro-Archaic II period is exquisite example of the sculpture of the period. The group dating agrees with the architecture and dating of the two royal tombs of Tamassos and they may be regarded as part of the general group of sculptures that exhibit egyptianising influence, a feature which is particularly apparent in the 6th century B.C. Equally rare is the preservation of a number of colours (red, green etc.) on the surface that further confirms the fact that Greek sculptures were painted with vivid colours.

They are perhaps the oldest monumental stone sculptures acquired by the Cyprus museum after World War II.