On a Bronze Leg from Italy

Abstract

Of the bronze fragment which forms the subject of Pl. LXIX., and which has been recently acquired for the British Museum, this only is certain: that it is the right leg of an armed figure in motion. With a few fragments of drapery it is, unfortunately, all that remains of a statue of heroic size: there is therefore ample room for speculation as to its subject and action. The leg is armed in a greave, and the pieces of drapery bordered with one of the forms of the Greek fret incised and originally inlaid with silver, must, from the character of the folds, have belonged to the skirt of a short chiton, such as was worn under armour. The figure was therefore that of a hero in full armour, and that it was in motion is sufficiently indicated by the fluttering movement of the pieces of drapery.It will be well to introduce here some notes which Mr. Murray was kind enough to send to me, and which were a most valuable assistance to me in the preparation of this paper:—I will offer one or two observations regarding the bronze leg recently acquired for the British Museum from M. Piot in Paris.