Lot of 4 Greek Geometric Bronze Attachments

Ancient Greece, Geometric Period, ca. 8th to 7th century BCE. A quartet of cast bronze flat attachments, two of which are labryses, the other two of which depict horses in profile atop wheels. The two with horses both have incised concentric circles on their faces, believed to be a ward against the evil eye. The labrys, a double-headed axe, has a fascinating history - in Crete it is not a weapon, but instead is shown carried by goddesses rather than gods. The form is also associated with Zeus. The horses and wheels refer to chariots, which, in the Geometric period, were used for transport, competitions, and parades rather than battle. Size: 1.85" W x 3.3" H (4.7 cm x 8.4 cm); 6.4" H (16.3 cm) on included custom stand.

The Geometric Period was when many of the trends that ultimately would define Classical Greece began. There was an explosion in population leading to the development of proto-urban centers and the construction of monumental temples and sanctuaries. Writing, lost after the Mycenaean period, returned to Greece, and along with it came the writing down of the great oral epics The Iliad and The Odyssey for the first time. Finally, much of the artwork of the period depicts scenes of gods that would later become codified as the official Greek state religion.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Neil Phillips collection, New York, USA, 1990s

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#153330
Condition Report: The one with six wheels has a small tear between two wheels. The other three are intact. Three have a beautiful turquoise patina while the fourth is dark green.