Three Bronze Figures from Asia Minor

Abstract

This little archaic figure (Figs) I purchased in 1901 at Vathy in Samos, and with it a fine bronze sword, of which hereafter. The peasant who sold it to the Samian from whom I got it was reported to have said that they were discovered together at the village of Castania near Carlovasi. It is undoubtedly an early example of Greek figure-casting. The figure itself is four inches high, but there are two projections from the soles of the feet, making it four-and-a-half inches high over all. These projections are intentionally formed, to fix the figure upright on its base. The figure stands rigidly upright, with feet apart and arms detached from the body at the elbow and raised rather higher than the horizontal line. The figure would be absolutely symmetrical about its middle plane if it were not for the hands, of which the right is open with the palm turned to the figure's own left, while the left hand is closed and perforated as if to grasp something. The lower part of the body is without modelling and resembles a rounded board or a flattened bolster. There is no attempt to model the bosom. The face itself is long, with rather wide and high cheekbones: the eyes are wide and staring as in most very early Greek work: the hair lies low on the forehead. The mouth, though fairly well marked, wears no smile; on the contrary, the lower lip is thrust forward a little. Neither fingers nor toes are marked with any certainty.