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  Magna Graecia: Greek Art From South Italy and Sicily > About the Exhibition > Gela > Horse-Shaped Spoon (about 580-570 BC)
 
 
Horse-Shaped Spoon (about 580-570 BC)
Gela, Thesmophorion at Bitalemi
Terracotta, refined pinkish-beige clay, cream-colored slip, hand-modeled, finished with a stick, painted
Museo Archeologico Regionale di Gela, inv. 20339
[Cat. no. 60]

Horse-Shaped Spoon (about 580-570 BC)

Found in the Thesmophorion sanctuary at Bitalemi near Gela, this delicately fashioned spoon may have had some unknown ritual significance.

The mane covering the horse's neck is indicated by wavy incisions, and falling locks are represented by two bits of terracotta pressed onto the forehead between the animal's upright ears. Incisions and red paint were used to depict the bridle, and a cross motif is painted in red on the exterior of the spoon.

Small in scale, it forms an interesting juxtaposition with the terracotta horse head [cat. no. 61] made a century later for a public monument.

Page 6 of 9 | On the next page: Head of a Horse (about 470-460 BC)