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Greave
Greek
Archaic Period
650-625 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Bronze
Dimensions
Overall: 13 x 32.8 x 6 cm (5 1/8 x 12 15/16 x 2 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
Henry Lillie Pierce Fund
Accession Number98.665
CollectionsEurope, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsWarfare, hunting, fishing – Armor
Catalogue Raisonné
Greek, Etruscan, & Roman Bronzes (MFA), no. 584; Sculpture in Stone and Bronze (MFA), p. 126 (additional published references).
DescriptionThis fragment of a bronze greave (knemis) would have originally covered the lower leg in order to protect the knee, shin, calf, and possible the ankle of a hoplite. This shin guard was probably meant for the left leg. A curved furrow sharply suggests the outline of the calf muscle. The series of holes along the perimeter were for the attachment of a leather lining which would have been folded over the edge and secured with pins placed through these perforations.
It was formed from a single sheet of bronze and custom fit to the warrior’s leg. Proper left half is missing. Long horizontal crack in lower half. Dark green patina.
It was formed from a single sheet of bronze and custom fit to the warrior’s leg. Proper left half is missing. Long horizontal crack in lower half. Dark green patina.
ProvenanceBy date unknown: with Edward Perry Warren (according to Warren's records: From Elis, bought in Athens with MFA 98.664); 1898: purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren for $ 69,618.13 (this figure is the total price for MFA 98.641-98.940)