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Winged Dragon Chimera

Unknown

American Art

On View: Steinberg Family Sculpture Garden, 1st Floor

This fierce and fantastic creature, sitting on his haunches and clutching a shield, seems to be a cross between two mythical monsters: a griffin (with an eagle's head and wings and the body of a lion) combined with a dragon. This lively sculpture came from the facade of a building that formerly stood in the financial district in Lower Manhattan.

MEDIUM Limestone
  • Place Made: United States
  • DATES ca. 1900
    DIMENSIONS 63 1/2 x 26 x 28 in. (161.3 x 66 x 71.1 cm)
    COLLECTIONS American Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 74.168
    CREDIT LINE Gift of G.C. O'Brien, Inc. in memory of G.C. O'Brien
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION This carved limestone winged dragon, standing behind a shield, was salvaged from a building at the northeast corner of Liberty and William streets, in Lower Manhattan, in 1974. The unusual dragon chimera was located on the corner of the building, several stories up. The museum was alerted to the demolition of the building, and the salvage opportunity, by a Brooklyn resident.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Steinberg Family Sculpture Garden, 1st Floor
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