Untitled

Unknown

ca. 1st century · Schist · Asian Art

As the first of his twelve labors, the Greek mythic hero Herakles was ordered to slay the monstrous Nemean lion. Since the beast's skin was impervious to spears and arrows, Herakles strangled him. He then skinned the lion, taking the pelt as a cloak and the head as a helmet. The lion skin slung over his left arm suggest that the figure on this weight is Herakles, although there is no obvious explanation for the charmingly tame lion that accompanies him. Two half-moon shaped indentations for gripping at the back (not visible) indicate that this object is an athlete's weight.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1st century

Medium

Schist

Culture

Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Florence and Herbert Irving Gift, 1994