An ancient Greek bronze arm grip (porpax or antilabe) from the interior of a shield (hoplon or aspis), with bronze fragments from the interior of the shield in lotus and guilloche patterns in repoussé.
Ca. 6th - 5th century BC.
Length: 4 5/8 in. (11.5 cm)
The Greek shield was always held by the left arm, protecting not only the hoplite that held it but also the hoplite to the left of him in the phalanx.
Confer: E. Kunze et al., Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, VI. Bericht über die Ausgrabungen in Olympia, (Berlin, 1967), pp. 74-117, pl. 77 (inv. no. B1008), pl.86 (inv. no. B920).
Formerly in the Kuizenga collection, the Netherlands, acquired in Dortmund, Germany in 1996.