Crow figurine

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Provision of image

Inventory number

ΕΑΜ Χ 6669

Category

Bronzes

Period

Archaic Period

Date

End of 6th cent. BC

Dimensions

Height: 0.08 m

Material

Bronze

Location

First Floor Case 20, Νο 12

Description
Bibliography

Intact bird figurine, perhaps a raven or crow. The bird, naturalistically rendered, has a crooked beak and strong legs and claws gripping a curved surface. The plumage is scaled and short lines are incised around the beak and legs.

If the figurine is actually a crow, then it can relate to Athena. According to mythology, the goddess became furious with the crow that brought her the bad news about Kekrops' daughters disobeying her; as a result she forbade the bird to approach the Acropolis ever again.

Smith, C., «An archaic vase with representation of a marriage procession», Journal of Hellenic Studies 1, 1880, εικ. 7
Bather, A.G., «The Bronze Fragments of the Acropolis», Journal of Hellenic Studies 13, 1892/93, σελ. 242
De Ridder, A., Bronzes Trouvés sur l' Acropole d'Athènes, Paris, 1896, σελ. 198-199, εικ. 179, αρ. κατ. 541
Fuchs, W., Floren, J., Die griechische Plastik, I: Die geometrische und archaische Plastik, München, 1987, σελ. 306 υποσημ. 51