Heraklion Archaeological Museum - CollectiveAccess System : Bronze objects : Bronze kouros-type figurine [Χ211]

Bronze kouros-type figurine

Χ211

Metal (Bronze)

Almost intact. Skin flaking, missing back of head

Height: 12.3 cm. Width: 3.9 cm. Thickness: 2.5 cm.

Idaean Cave

Early Archaic period:

640-630 BC:

Gallery:

XVII

Case:

169

Exhibition thematic unit:

Geometric - Archaic - Classical period (10th - 4th c. BC). The Sanctuaries. From Minoan cult to the amalgamation of religious beliefs

Sacred Caves

Description

Solid bronze figurine of a kouros-type nude male figure with integral plinth. Despite the obvious frontality of the figure, the slight differences in the placement of the limbs, the left leg in movement and the slightly extended right arm, give the impression of movement diagonally to the left. The overly stressed volumes (chest and buttocks) and the stylisation of the facial features of the otherwise Daedalic head are attributed to the artisan’s limited talents; however, they may also be a deliberate, simplistically exaggerated depiction of the healthy, youthful male body. The less slender proportions are certainly an indication of maturity and it is a pity that the impression is substantially distorted by the heavily corroded skin.

Bibliography:

F. Halbherr – P. Orsi, Antichita dell’Antro di Zeus Ideo in Creta, Firenze 1888, pl. 12,1. D. Levi, Arkades: una città cretese all'alba della civiltà ellenica, Annuario della Scuola Archeologica di Atene 10-12 (1927 –29), 702, fig. 666. Α. Lebessi, Το ιερό του Ερμή και της Αφροδίτης στη Σύμη Βιάννου. ΙΙΙ. Τα χάλκινα ανθρωπόμορφα ειδώλια, Athens 2002, 111-12, fig. 84. M. Lagogianni, Μικρά έργα χαλκοπλαστικής από το Ιδαίον Άντρον, Πεπραγμένα Ι΄ Διεθνούς Κρητολογικού Συνεδρίου (Χανιά, 1-8.10.2006), Chania 2011, vol. Α5, 299-301. S. Mandalaki (ed.), ΔΑΙΔΑΛΟΣ. Στα ίχνη του μυθικού τεχνίτη, Κατάλογος έκθεσης (10.5.19-1.3.20), Heraklion 2019, 257, no. 232 (entry by K. Sidiropoulos).

Author:

K. S.

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