7th-5th century BC. A finely made, anatomically sculpted pair of greaves covering the knee, shin and calf; slightly everted rim at the ankle and thickened edge at the calf; beaten from sheet bronze.

PROVENANCE:
Ex Axel Guttmann collection.

LITERATURE:
See Sekundas, N. The Spartan Army; cf. Christies catalogue: The Axel Guttmann Collection. Ancient Arms and Armour Collection, part 2 item 93.

FOOTNOTES:
Similar in design to the greaves marked with the name 'Denda' in the Staatliche Antikensammlungen, Munich. These came from a Greek workshop in southern Italy, and were found with a Corinthian helmet dated to circa 500 BC. Greaves were part of the standard equipment of the hoplite infantry formations. There was no need for attachment straps with this style of armour, which relied on the springiness of the bronze to close around the leg.