Еxhibit of the month – August 7th, 2026

Α BRONZE STATUETTE OF ZEUS

Village of Priboy, Radomir Municipality, Pernik Region. Unknown context.

1st century BC

Height 24.8 cm

Zeus is depicted standing, in a twisting pose, with his right hand raised back, holding the lightning bolt, and his left hand stretched forward. The legs seem to be at the start of a forward movement. The face is made with precision. The details of the beard and hair are shaped with incised wavy lines.

The supreme god is depicted at the moment before he throws the lightning bolt. The masterfully modeled musculature of the back, chest, and right arm emphasizes and completes the movement. The interest in poses such as this, which create a sense of controlled movement and internal dynamics, is characteristic of the artistic pursuits of the Early Classical period. In addition to the choice of pose, the degree of plasticity of the shapes of the body, as well as the subtle harmonious features of the face, are characteristic for the works of that time. The classical restraint in the expression is enriched with a spirit of strong determination and at the same time – magnetism and tension in the best Hellenistic traditions. The generalized volumes and the rich decorativeness of the hairstyle and beard speak of a purposeful turn to early models from the late archaic and early classical eras.

The different parts of the body are cast separately. The left arm from the armpit down (from the connection area) and the right foot are missing. There are silver inlays on the eyes, and copper on the lips. Against the background of the high artistic and technical qualities of the work, a curious feature and defect is the excessive forward protrusion of the left shoulder. This part of the body looks anatomically unconvincing, especially when viewed from the back.

Inv. No. 7844

*Text: Slava Vasileva 

*The exhibit is part of the temporary exhibition "The Forgotten Deities" (07.08.2026 - 17.01.2027)

* Photographs: Chavdar Chomakov

Literature: Ognenova-Marinova 1975: L. Ognenova Marinova. Statuette en bronze du Musée national archéologique a Sofia (statuette de culte). Sofia, 1975, no 51; Ilieva 2014: P. Ilieva. Ancient bronze from Bulgaria. Sofia 2014,17-18.