Statuette of a Dead Youth

Eyes closed in death, this nude warrior lies on his back, arms and legs hanging limply. He once grasped a spear or sword in his outstretched hand. The statuette probably decorated a vessel—perhaps the rim of a bowl—and may have been lifted by two other figures, now missing. The workmanship is superb, with carefully modeled musculature and facial features. Cast in solid bronze, this small statue originally had inlaid copper nipples that would have provided a contrast in color. The locks of hair around the youth's face were also added in copper, the only known example of this detail.