Snake

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Provision of image

Inventory number

ΕΑΜ Χ 6812

Category

Decorative element

Period

Archaic Period

Date

End of 6th cent. BC

Dimensions

Height: 0.075 m
Length: 0.042 m

Material

Bronze

Location

First Floor Case 20, Νο 21

Description
Bibliography

Coiling snake made of metal; only its head is raised. The serpent’s body is sleek and rhomboids are incised on its triangular head. In the centre of the tight spiral formed by its coiling body are retained two small bronze nails that facilitated its attachment on a separate surface. It may have been an emblem on a small votive shield or vessel.

Snakes are particularly popular in ancient Greek art and relate to Asklepios, Zeus as well as Athena, the dominant divinity on the Athenian Acropolis.

De Ridder, A., Bronzes Trouvés sur l' Acropole d'Athènes, Paris, 1896, σελ. 201, εικ. 182, αρ. κατ. 548
Παντερμαλής, Δ., Ελευθεράτου, Σ., Βλασσοπούλου, Χ., Μουσείο Ακρόπολης. Οδηγός, Αθήνα, 2016, σελ. 162, 164-165, εικ. 192