Head of youth from bronze statuette, back view

Head of youth from bronze statuette, three-quarter left front

Head of youth from bronze statuette, three-quarter left back

Head of youth from bronze statuette, left profile

Head of youth from bronze statuette, frontal view

Head of youth from bronze statuette, three-quarter right front

Collection: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Title: Head of Young Warrior from Bronze Statuette
Context: Probably from Sparta
Findspot: Said to be found at Sparta
Summary: Head of youth, once with cap or helmet
Object Function: Votive
Material: Bronze
Sculpture Type: Free-standing statue
Category: Separated fragments
Style: High Archaic
Technique: Hollow cast
Original or Copy: Original
Date: ca. 540 BC
Dimensions: H. 0.069 m
Scale: Miniature
Region: Laconia
Period: High Archaic

Subject Description:

Head of youth, perhaps a warrior, with close-fitting cap.

Form & Style:

The Laconian style is exemplified by the large eyes, and strong nose, as well as the ovoid shape of the head, which compare to several statuettes from Sparta, noted below.

Condition: Head only (nearly complete)

Condition Description: Head broken off high on the neck. Top of the cap of helmet is missing. Greenish, brown patina on surface.

Collection History: Purchased in Athens. Formerly in the E.P. Waren Collection; acquired by the MFA in 1895.

Sources Used: Comstock & Vermeule 1971, no. 25

Other Bibliography: Mattusch 1996, 112; Herfort-Koch 1986, 26, 43, 105-106 no. K 85, pl. 11, 10-11; F. Queyrel, RA 1989, 397; R.R. Holloway, Art and Coinage in Magna Graecia (Bellinzona n.d.) 37, 95, ill.; Congdon 1981, 48; I. Caruso, RM 88 (1981) 84, n. 202; Boardman 1978a, 76, 116, fig. 122; Bol 1978, 8; H. Jucker in Brendel Essays, 33; Cahn 1975, 108; M. Weber, AM 89 (1974) 40-41; Karouzou in Schuchhardt Festschrift, 324; Karo 1948, 155; Poulsen/EA, col. 28, nos. 3758 and 3759; F. Studniczka in Amelung Festschrift, 246.