Journal - Comune di Monteleone di Spoleto

78
V.26 edging of the proper right panel
some material, either behind or above the bronze sheet. if
behind, it may have been to secure even more firmly the
layer of leather wrapped tightly around the rail and covered
by the bronze sheet (see Sections ii.a, ii.B). if above, the
small holes may have been used to attach the ivory inlays
that were mentioned in 1902, just after the clandestine
excavation of the tomb.
3b. Edging of proper right panel (Figure V.26)
original perimeter 27 1⁄2 in. (70 cm)
Description. as observed in the central panel of the chariot,
the inverted-u-shaped band running around the upper part
of the panel was bent to form an obtuse angle. The edging
was nailed along the top at regular intervals to better secure
the panel to the wooden railings, now lost.
Condition. Fragments of about four-fifths of the original
perimeter remain. almost all of the ancient holes were
reused in 1903 to hold mostly modern nails; only four of the
original nails remain and are currently stored to ensure better
conservation. The surface is largely metallic with thin
brown tarnish; there are areas of green corrosion associated
with some black tarnish and blistering.
Commentary. The trimming of the left margin of the side
panel at the time of the first restoration has already been
mentioned. a fragment of edging that had been misapplied
to the cut area at that time (see cat. 15) prevented a full
understanding of the chariot’s typology until recently. 6
3c. Kouros attached to proper right panel (Figures V.27,
V.28)
H. from top of bronze sheet to boots 11 1⁄8 in. (28.2 cm),
H. from head to boots 10¾ in. (27.2 cm); W. at shoulders
3 in. (7.5 cm), maximum H. of relief (at face) 1 5⁄8 in. (4 cm)
Description. The figure in high relief masked the join between
the front and right side panels. it is made from a
rectangular sheet of bronze that was later cut along almost
the entire perimeter, except for a smooth trapezoidal flap at
the nape of the neck that served for attachment. The ankles
were broken in antiquity (Figure V.28), and a pair of boots,
instead of feet, applied to them.
The standing youth is naked and his arms extend down
close to the sides of his body, to which his hands are
attached, with the four fingers joined and the thumb set
apart. The right hand is longer than the left. Clavicles and
nipples are evident on the chest. The subcostal arch forms
an angle far below the pectorals; the navel is fashioned with
a carefully hammered circular indentation. The genitals are
rendered less accurately than those of his counterpart
(cat. 4c). The head is large and the profile of the face is
pointed; the latter protrudes much more than the body,
which is rendered in relatively low relief. His long hair is
parted into eight locks, passes behind his ears, and flows
onto his shoulders and pectorals, where it ends in a large
spiral curl at each side. The hair is finished with serried,
wavy traced lines. His features seem to have been altered
after an accident in antiquity (see Section iii.d). in particular,
the upper lip is deformed; originally it should have
resembled the lip of the twin kouros on the opposite side of
the chariot. The irises are incised within the large, protruding
eyeballs. The eyelashes and eyebrows are finished with
tracing. The figure has high, prominent cheekbones. The
ears are level with the eyes, the auricles being depicted
schematically and flattened against the temples; conversely,
the little flap known as the tragus is very accentuated.
Condition. The bronze sheet has been visibly dented at the
mouth, left cheek, and temple area and presents radiating
cracks. Corrosion has caused small losses of metal on the
right shoulder, under and between the clavicles, on the right
thigh, and above the left knee. The feet are missing up to the
ankle joint, where the tear in the bronze sheet is concealed
by the added boots. The surface is largely metallic with thin
brown tarnish, areas of green corrosion associated with
some black tarnish, and blistering. The tear on the missing
feet presents the same type of corrosion.
Technical observations. See cat. 4c.
Alloy analysis of bronze (percent by weight). Fe .09, Co .01,
ni .02, Cu 89.1, Zn nd, as .04, ag .01, Sn 10.6, Sb .02, Pb .1.
3d. Boots applied to kouros attached to proper right
panel (Figure V.29)
H. 1 1⁄2 in. (3.8 cm), W. at top 1 1⁄2 in. (3.9 cm)
Description. The right and left boots are formed in high relief
from a single sheet with a section of plain metal between
them; there is a nail hole in the center at the top. The upper