LE PROBLEME DE L’EMPLOI DE MENISKOI/OBELOI DANS LA SCULPTURE GRECQUE A SUJET EQUESTRE

Abstract

The Meniskoi or obeloi are devices consisting of a simple metal pin, which in some cases might have
been completed by a crescent-shaped item, according to the etymology of the name used by Aristophanes.
Along with Aristophanes, archaeological data seem to confirm the use of these devices on
ancient marble statues to protect them from the injury of the birds crowding sanctuaries. On top of
several korai, kuroi and sphinxes discovered in the Acropolis and in other sites, we can find traces
of metal pins or the hole meant to fix them. The technical and iconographic examination of ancient
Greek equestrian sculpture showed the presence of drill holes on the horse’s head or mane, which
seems to be independent of the statue’s harness or iconography. Here, we analyse a previously
unreported usage of meniskoi/obeloi on the animal element. In particular, we discuss meniskoi
employment on the equine figure and the possibility of interpreting these holes as the meniskoi/
obeloi employment on the animal element of equestrian sculptures and the influence of our analysis
on how to interpret the use of these devices, even in the context of sculptures with the human subject.

Keywords: Greek sculpture; equestrian sculpture; marble techniques; stone sculptures; meniskoi;
obeloi.