Mitra (piece of armour)
ΣΜ886
Metal (Bronze)
Almost Intact. Limited restoration and cracks
Length: 24 cm. Height: 16.1 cm. Thickness: 0.1 cm.
Afrati
Archaic period:
650-640 BC:
Gallery:
XXIIICase:
232Exhibition thematic unit:
Private CollectionsN. & Th. Metaxas Collection
Description
This mitra (belly guard), a separate piece of armour suspended by links from a leather belt under the cuirass to protect the warrior’s abdomen, is decorated in repoussé. The semicircular, slightly curved surface bears two symmetrical opposed felines, probably panthers, with a shared frontal head, bordered by a band of multiple incised lines. Flowing outlines and limited engraving give a lively impression of the animals’ sinuous bodies, with few anatomical details. The choice of motif may have been apotropaic, the powerful panthers being intended to deter the enemy. An original, early example of the type of excellent quality, from a workshop in the city of Arkades or, according to other scholars, Dattala, products of which were dedicated to a peak sanctuary on the peak of Profitis Ilias in Afrati.Bibliography:
A. Lebessi, Δύο μίτρες της συλλογής Μεταξά, Κρητικά Χρονικά ΚΑ (1969), p. 97-118, esp. p. 97-112.Author:
K. S.Photographs' metadata