Greece, northern Peloponnese, perhaps Olympia, Archaic period, ca. late 6th century BCE. A cast-bronze figure of a nude, youth, shown standing upon delineated legs with well-defined hips, exposed genitalia, his right arm raised in front of his slender body, and his left hand posed with an open palm. Around one shoulder hangs a sheep or ram pelt with the hooved back legs secured just below his neck line. Ovoid eyes beneath heavy brows, a wide, triangular nose, cupped ears, full lips, and puffy cheeks define the figure's serene countenance which is framed by a closely-shorn coiffure. Covered in layers of dark-green patina, this is a wonderful example of Archaic Greek artistry! Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 1.4" W x 3.55" H (3.6 cm x 9 cm); 3.875" H (9.8 cm) on included custom stand.

By the seventh century BCE, Greek art began to evolve from its embrace of geometric patterning (which was favored between approximately 1050 and 700 BCE) to a desire to create more naturalistic representations of the human figure. Most famous are the freestanding sculptures of two main types, the male standing youth known as a kouros, and the draped standing female kore. The earliest examples demonstrate an Egyptian influence in both pose and proportions, but over time sculptors created even more lifelike representations. These were placed in sanctuaries as well as cemeteries and served as grave markers and dedications to the deities.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#137210

Slight bending to legs, fading to some finer details, small nicks to legs, arms, body, and head, and light encrustations, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits and great dark-green patina throughout.