Bronze figurine of a hippocampus
Archaeological museum Messenia, Kalamata
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Bronze figurine of a hippocampus
5th century BCE
Archaeological museum Messenia, Kalamata
Sanctuary of Poseidon Akovitika, Kalamata.
Length: 13.6 cm Height: 5.5 cm
Bronze figurine of a hippocampus. An orthogonal blind hole below the belly for attaching a bronze cylindrical stem. Τhe front half is shaped as a galloping horse. The head and neck turn to the right, the mane is incised, made in one piece. The rear half, from the shoulder to the tail, is shaped as a snake-like spiralling fish. One fin on either side of the belly, two more on the back. The tail is divided in two fins, with a relief ring around their root. The back and sides of the snake-like fish are covered with incised scales, except for the underside, which is decorated with incised cross lines. The figurine was handed by a resident of Akovitika, Kalamata. A sanctuary of Poseidon was partly excavated here, next to the river Aris. Its period of use was between 1000 BCE and the 4th cent. BCE.