Lead figure of a horse
Unknown Artist
6th–5th century BCE
Medium
Lead
Dimensions
Length: 1 3/16 in. (3.1 cm)
Classification
Miscellaneous-Lead
Culture & Period
Greek, Laconian · Archaic
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of A. J. B. Wace, 1924
Accession Number
24.195.102
Tags
Art Historical Context
This diminutive lead figure of a, crafted in Laconian Greece during the Archaic period (6th–5th century BCE), offers a glimpse into the everyday artistry of ancient Sparta's region. Measuring just 1 3/16 inches (3.1 cm) long, it exemplifies the small-scale metalwork produced in workshops where lead—a soft, malleable metal—was favored for its affordability and ease of casting compared to pricier bronze. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1924 by archaeologist A. J. B. Wace, this rare survivor highlights the fragility and preciousness of such artifacts. In Archaic Greece, horses symbo...