Getty Museum

Statuette of a Banqueter

Date

550–525 B.C.

Medium

Bronze

Culture

Greek

Department

Sculpture

Institution

Getty Museum

The statuette depicts a bearded male banqueter reclining on a kline, or couch. He rests on a soft cushion, supporting himself on his left elbow, with his left leg flat on the kline and right leg bent at the knee. The figure wears a himation draped around the lower body, the folds of which are indicated with wavy incised lines. He rests his right hand on his raised knee and looks to his left, toward the keras, or drinking horn, that he holds in his left hand. His long wavy hair is carefully dressed and he wears a raised fillet decorated with diagonal incisions. The statuette is one of three similar reclining banqueters (see also [96.AC.77.2](http://www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/29616/) and [96.AC.77.3](http://www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/29617/)). Metalworkers frequently ornamented bronze vessels, utensils, and armor with cast and embossed figures and reliefs. These miniature works were often superbly crafted, displaying complex poses and finely rendered details. Mythological figures, animals, warriors, and banqueters decorated bowls, jugs, and other items used at banquets or offered as prestigious dedications in sanctuaries.

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