This dapper little bronze horse raises its head coquettishly as if to challenge its surroundings
Plant-like ornamentation can be seen on its four thighs. Original exhibit
ca. 580-540 BC, exhibit of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.
The bronze casting
with both lost and reusable moulds for small bronzes in solid casting was developed to the highest level in Greece from the Geometric period in the 8th century BC. The use of hollow casting for large sculptures dates back to the 6th century B.C. It was attributed by the Greeks to the ore-casters Rhoikos and Theodoros from Samos.
Places such as Olympia, Delos, Delphi, Corinth, Athens and Rhodes each had over 3,000 large bronze statues. Particularly impressive works were the colossal statues such as the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, created in 285 BC by Chares from Lindos, with an inner framework of iron and masonry, 37 metres high. The bronze colossus commissioned by Nero to represent the emperor was 2 metres taller still. Hadrian had it transported to the Amphitheatrium Flavium, which is why this entertainment venue still bears his name today:
Colosseum.
