Advanced Search 
Young hunter on horseback
Greek, Sicilian
Archaic Period
about 510 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Terracotta
Dimensions
H. 60 cm (23 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
William Francis Warden Fund
Accession Number65.463
CollectionsEurope, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsSculpture
DescriptionLarge scale terracotta figure of a nude youth riding a horse. The horse and youth are accompanied by a dog (65.464), which may have originally been attached to the same base, though its precise location in relation to the horse is uncertain. The presence of the dog identifies the figure as a hunter. A petasos (traveling hat) was found with the figures, but is too small for the rider’s head, so it may have been worn on his back, looped around the neck with a cord.
Condition: Missing left foot, part of horse’s tail, and part of bridle. Some reconstruction, including horse’s mane. Hands and horse’s mouth pierced for reins in another material, now missing. Traces of white on surface may be undercoat for painting. The figure was handmade and the surface has been roughly smoothed.
Unlike mainland Greece and the Aegean islands, the Greek colonies in Sicily did not have easy access to good sculpting marbles. Thus, they developed a tradition of large-scale terracotta sculpture instead. Though other horse and rider figures have been found as temple akroteria, this free standing hunter is unusual.
Condition: Missing left foot, part of horse’s tail, and part of bridle. Some reconstruction, including horse’s mane. Hands and horse’s mouth pierced for reins in another material, now missing. Traces of white on surface may be undercoat for painting. The figure was handmade and the surface has been roughly smoothed.
Unlike mainland Greece and the Aegean islands, the Greek colonies in Sicily did not have easy access to good sculpting marbles. Thus, they developed a tradition of large-scale terracotta sculpture instead. Though other horse and rider figures have been found as temple akroteria, this free standing hunter is unusual.
ProvenanceSaid to come from Inessa (Aetna), Sicily [see note]. By 1963, Robert E. Hecht, Rome, and Münzen und Medaillen A.G., Basel; 1965, sold by Münzen und Medaillen to the MFA. (Accession Date: April 14, 1965)
NOTE: Along with MFA accession nos. 65.464, 65.470, and 65.2676-65.2678.
NOTE: Along with MFA accession nos. 65.464, 65.470, and 65.2676-65.2678.