Paired sculpture "Griffins". They are made of patinated bronze. The artist paid special attention to the elaboration of the muzzle, wings and mane of the creatures. Griffins are depicted in a seated position on pedestals. Europe, XX century.

Griffins are fearsome and free-spirited mythical creatures straight out of European myths and legends. Images of animals with elements of eagle and lion bodies have been found in ancient Egypt, Persia and on the island of Crete. The more familiar image of griffins appears in Roman and Greek myths. For example, the goddess of retribution, Nemesis, rode a chariot pulled by a pair of griffins. Interestingly, in some ancient and medieval sources, griffins are depicted as the animals of the Scythians. According to legend, they even guarded the gold of this people. Similarly, the 13th-century English encyclopedist Bartholomew, in his book On the Properties of Things, describes these creatures as living in the "Hyperborean Mountains" and using emeralds to protect their nests from poisonous animals.