Ancient Greek metalworkers were skilled in the forging and casting of a variety of metals, especially gold, silver, and bronze. It is believed that they learned stone and metal sculpting techniques from the Egyptians. The Greeks made many different types of bronze objects, including jewelry, mirrors, lamps, vessels, coins, arms and armor, and statuettes, working primarily in workshops, where masters and fathers taught apprentices and sons. Based on writings from the period, it appears that sculptors shared the same status level as other manual workers, and did not usually sign their work individually.
With its cylindrical legs and head, lack of detail, and static quality, this small statuette of a horse is typical in style of depictions of animals dating from the Geometric Period (900–700 B.C.). The wide space between the front and hind legs, and the slight bend of the knees suggest the unsure stance of a young colt. Small sculptures such as this one served as votive offerings for pilgrims visiting temples and sanctuaries. Large numbers of these sculptures have been excavated at temple sites, together with many failed castings, indicating that at least some of the bronze figures were created at workshops very close to the temples. It is believed that the use of these small statuettes preceded that of larger life-size statues, for which the miniature versions may also have served as less expensive alternatives.
Similar in style to images on pottery of the time, this abstract style falls within the Geometric Period (900–700 B.C.), the earliest period of Greek art. Most statuettes from this time were in the form of birds, animals, and humans, including groupings of horses, cows, and deer with their young. Utilizing rough, geometric shapes, statuettes from this period were given the minimum detail necessary to portray the figure. For example, as illustrated by this sculpture, horses were typically depicted with a long cylindrical snout, triangular ears, and arched mane at the top of the head.
Freestanding bronze statuettes such as this one were created using the lost wax method of casting, which begins with the carving of a model from a block of wax. The wax model is then encased in a thick clay mold. After the mold dries, it is heated, causing the wax to melt and drain out. Melted metal is then poured into the cavity. After the metal cools, the clay mold is removed, leaving a metal object in the shape of the original wax. Often, as in this object, a base was cast with the figurine. Many bronzes created from the same mold have been found in excavations, indicating that replication was an established process, and that the small statuettes used for votive offerings were often mass-produced.
The formative period of Greek civilization spans about 400 years, from 1100 to 700 B.C. During the 8th century B.C. there existed a significant number of sanctuaries, and many horse figurines have been found in their ruins. Mules, oxen, and donkeys were used for pulling and carting during this period, so owning a horse was a conspicuous sign of status and power. In offering an image of a horse to the gods, the worshipper would be asserting his claim that he was deserving of such a measure of prosperity. Archeological excavations have revealed that by 700 B.C., horse figurines had completely disappeared from the sanctuaries of Greece.
