Decorative reliefs from a cuirass
Western Greek, about 390-340 BC
Perhaps made in Taranto, Italy; found in the river Siris in
southern Italy
Amazons and Greeks in battle
These two embossed bronze reliefs probably formed part of the
decoration of the shoulder straps of a cuirass (upper body armour).
Similar reliefs, usually hammered into shape over a former, were
used to decorate furniture, chariots, horse-trappings, metal
vessels and circular bronze mirror covers. The hinges at the top of
these two reliefs were originally attached to the armour with metal
pins.
The theme of conflict - the battle between the Amazons and the
Greeks - is appropriate for a piece of armour. Both the modelling
of the figures and the transparent drapery of the Amazons recalls
contemporary sculpture in marble. Amazonomachy scenes (scenes of
Amazons fighting Greeks) were extremely popular during the
fourth-century BC, and were a recurring theme on architectural
friezes. One of the reliefs has a vivid scene of a helmeted Greek
using his knee to force down an Amazon. Both the participants hold
shields, and another lies on the floor beneath them. Beneath the
Amazon's legs is a lion-skin of the type usually worn by Herakles
who, in some versions of the myth, fights alongside the Greeks. The
background is filled with billowing cloaks which enhance the
fast-moving and violent action. The other, less well-preserved
piece, shows the same scene but with the figures reversed.
C. Rolley, Greek bronzes (London, Sotheby's Publications / Chesterman Publications, 1986)
G.M.A. Richter, A handbook of Greek art (London, Phaidon, 1996)
L. Burn, The British Museum book of G-1, revised edition (London, The British Museum Press, 1999)