Greece (Delphi)

Head of the Charioteer of Delphi (The Delphic Charioteer / Heniokhos)

2386

Created approximately 478–474 BC (mid-5th century BC), during the Early Classical or Severe Style period of ancient Greek art.

This image presents a detailed close-up of the head and upper torso of the life-sized bronze statue known as the Charioteer of Delphi. The sculpture was crafted using the advanced lost-wax casting technique (cire perdue) in multiple separate sections (head, torso, arms, and lower skirt) which were subsequently joined together. The material is high-quality cast bronze with a natural patina. It features extraordinary inlaid details: the eyes are made of white glass paste and colored stones set into copper lashes, while the lips are inlaid with fine strips of copper to realistically render a reddish, lifelike tone. The headband is inlaid with a silver geometric meander pattern.