Bronze mitra (belly guard)
Unknown
late 7th century BCE · Bronze · Greek and Roman Art
These three mitrai were found on Crete with the two helmets exhibited above. They were suspended from belts to protect the lower abdomen. One, with a depiction of the foreparts of horses, is inscribed "Synenitos, the son of Euklotas, [took] this." Another, with the foreparts of winged horses, is inscribed "Aisonidas, the son of Kloridios, took this." The third mitra is decorated with two sphinxes. Such heraldic representations of fantastic animals were derived from Near Eastern prototypes.
- Artist
- Unknown
- Date
- late 7th century BCE
- Medium
- Bronze
- Culture
- Greek, Cretan
- Department
- Greek and Roman Art
- Credit line
- Gift of Norbert Schimmel Trust, 1989
