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Chauvigny Church: Capital: Manticores (Sphinxes)

Capital: Manticores (Sphinxes)

Sphinxes or manticores (lions with human heads) with wings, tails that turn into human hands, curly beards, open mouths and joined heads. Opposing corners are filled with human heads. The manticore is a creature of Persian origin. Detail of Romanesque capital in the choir, mid-12th century. St-Pierre, Chauvigny, Poitou-Charentes, France.

Credit: Holly Hayes