Horse figurines

Bronze figurines of that type are found in their thousands in large sanctuaries, such as Olympia. They were offerings made by the votaries to the gods, and represented horses, bovines, birds and human figures (gods, warriors etc.). Several of them were attached on a base, while others were free-standing. Horse-like figurines are most common. Although we cannot be sure about their symbolism, the fact that horses appear quite often on vases of that period may suggest that they were indicative of high social status.

Bronze figurines of that type were small and solid, made by casting with the “lost-wax” technique. The artisan made a horse model in wax, and covered it with clay. Then s/he heated the clay until the wax melted and poured out of the mould. In the gap left by the “lost wax” s/he poured molten bronze, which took the form of the horse. Then s/he broke the mold and smoothed the surface of the bronze horse.

The production of such figurines probably was made in the area of the sanctuary by travelling metal-smiths. Today, we can identify several distinct workshops (Corinthian, Laconian, Argive etc.) based on style and technique

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