Cleveland Museum of Art

Three figured ambers are preserved in the collections of the Cleveland Museum of Art, including a pendant in the form of a winged sphinx. The amber is said to come from Taranto, but it is more likely that it was found in a tomb of one of the most important towns of Peucezia, such as Rutigliano. In fact, it has some formal and stylistic features that are commonly recognizable on the figured ambers found at that site. The carving and engraving process involved all the sides, except the rear. The figure is resting on a small rectangular base and is crouched on her haunches. The head is carved in all round, and it is addressed in profile facing left; her hair is made with undulating features on the forehead, stopped by a diadem and partially covered by a hat. At the top, on the right, there is a large wing with a sinuous profile, with the feathers delineated by a series of engravings. The find has been dated to the late sixth century BC.