NURAGIC PERIOD, CIRCA 9TH-8TH CENTURY B.C.

This superbly-cast warrior is depicted standing frontally with his feet turned outward. He wears a characteristic horned headdress and a short V-neck tunic over which hangs a protective square plate at the midsection, with a panel hanging below ornamented with rows of hatched bands. On his back, he carries a quiver. His neck is adorned with a stack of five rings, perhaps for protection. He holds his bow in his left hand and over his shoulder. His right hand projects forward, palm down.

According to J. Thimme, ed. (p. 379 in Kunst und Kultur Sardiniens: Vom Neolithikum bis zum Ende der Nuraghenzeit), “The strict T-shaped structure of the narrow, strong face with a long straight nose above a small mouth and with large, round, protruding eyes is typical of the early phase of Nuragic bronzes.” For similar examples, see nos. 92-93 in Thimme, op. cit. and no. 918 in E. Babelon and J.-A. Blanchet, Catalogue des bronzes antiques de la Bibliothèque nationale.