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Bronze centaur

late 5th century BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 156
During the fifth century B.C., centaurs appeared in many monumental representations, especially in Athens. The decoration of the Theseion included large wall paintings depicting not only Greeks fighting Amazons but also centaurs fighting Lapiths. The sculptures of the Parthenon featured centaurs as well. The boulder included in this work suggests that the source of inspiration was the myth of Kaineus, a Lapith invulnerable to man-made weapons, who could only be overcome by being beaten into the ground with trees and stones.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bronze centaur
  • Period: Classical
  • Date: late 5th century BCE
  • Culture: Greek
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: H. 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm)
  • Classification: Bronzes
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Walter C. Baker, 1971
  • Object Number: 1972.118.80
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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