Bronze Figure of a Man wearing a Chlamyd
Bronze Figure of a Man wearing a Chlamyd
Bronze Figure of a Man wearing a Chlamyd
The statuette is made of solid bronze. It depicts a standing male figure, clad in a short cloak (which the Greeks called a chlamys) fastened over the right shoulder with a circular fibula. The man extends his right arm towards the viewer, whilst his left arm is entirely concealed beneath the cloak. In his visible hand, clenched into a fist, he held an attribute. His feet are clad in high ankle boots, fastened with incised laces. His hair, cut short, covers his head like a cap; a few strands are indicated by regular engravings. A button in the centre of the skull probably served to secure a headdress.
5th century B.C.
H: 12.6 cm
In stock
Product Description
The statuette is made of solid bronze. It depicts a standing male figure, clad in a short cloak (which the Greeks called a chlamys) fastened over the right shoulder with a circular fibula. The man extends his right arm towards the viewer, whilst his left arm is entirely concealed beneath the cloak. In his visible hand, clenched into a fist, he held an attribute. His feet are clad in high ankle boots, fastened with incised laces. His hair, cut short, covers his head like a cap; a few strands are indicated by regular engravings. A button in the centre of the skull probably served to secure a headdress.
The cloak was certainly woven from thick wool, as evidenced by its texture—indicated by small incised dots—and, above all, by the way it falls stiffly and straight, as if its weight prevented the formation of the cascading folds typical of linen fabrics.
In Greek iconography, this cloak was characteristic of travellers: the statuette could therefore be a votive offering made by a man accustomed to travelling, such as a merchant. However, its iconography most closely resembles that of two famous travellers of antiquity: the god Hermes (who was the divine messenger and, at the same time, the god of merchants and trade) and Odysseus, the hero and protagonist of the Odyssey. Here, the figure’s young age and the presence of ankle boots suggest Hermes: it is therefore likely that his right hand held either Hermes’ long satchel (which contained money for trade) or the caduceus (his staff), and that on his head he wore the petasos (the large hat worn by this god).
