Sphyrelaton

The sphyrelata were obtained by hammering a thin sheet of bronze around a core of wood previously carved up to take the desired shape.

The technique seems to be of Oriental origin, probably imported from north-Syrian workers arrived in Greece around the seventh century BC.

In ancient Greece the sphyrelaton type (along with many other inventions, such as the xoanon) were attributed to the mythical figure of Daedalus, and it is indeed significant that the most important testimonies of similar votive objects come from excavations on the island of Crete .

The technique of realization of sphyrelata was not particularly long-lasting, as it was completely replaced by hollow casting (early sixth century BC), which was used to achieve superior standards of quality with less effort.

Two of the three sphyrelata are supposed to represent Artemis and Leto, as they are equipped with a polos, a long decorated garment and a mantle.