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Mirror Support: Athlete
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A muscular nude youth strides forward on a square metal plate with his arms outstretched. The plate and the volute decoration that adorns his head suggest that this statuette was the support for a mirror. The youth is likely an athlete, as he holds an <em>alabastron</em> or oil vessel in his right hand. The oil may be an offering to the gods for victory, or to rub onto the skin to protect and beautify his body before an athletic contest. The mirror was made separately and would have been attached to the triangular tang above the athlete’s head.
| Artist / Maker | South Italy, Locri (?), Greek |
|---|---|
| Date | 460–450 BCE |
| Culture / Origin | South Italy, Locri (?), Greek |
| Medium | bronze |
| Dimensions | Overall: 22.5 cm (8 7/8 in.) |
| Department | Greek and Roman Art |
| Type | Sculpture |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
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