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Greek Bronze of a Boxer 1st century BCE
"This exquisitely modeled boxer demonstrates the sculptor's ability to realistically render the athletic physique. The figure also reveals the level of excellence Hellenistic artists achieved in small-scale sculpture. The athlete's hands are wrapped with leather thongs, the Greek equivalent of boxing gloves, and he holds a sponge. Lamps that burned olive oil would have been suspended from chains at each corner of the base. Boxing was a popular and violent contest in which almost any blow was permitted, including eye-gouging." - Walters Art Museum
Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, Maryland USA
