Xantener Knabe, Bronze statue in Neues Museum, Germany
The Xantener Knabe is a bronze statue standing about 1.44 meters tall, depicting a twelve-year-old boy wearing a crown decorated with acorns, grain, grapes, and flowers. The detailed work shows fine proportions and careful craftsmanship in the rendering of the young figure.
The statue has Greek origins dating to 150 BC and later saw use in the Roman Empire. Fishermen discovered it by chance in 1858 in the Rhine River when water levels had dropped.
The figure represents a servant from Roman banquets who was designed to hold a serving tray for food and drinks during celebrations. This role was part of daily life in the Roman settlement of Xanten.
The statue is preserved in a museum setting where visitors can view it up close and appreciate the quality of ancient bronze craftsmanship. Access to the work allows you to see the decorative details and the fine execution of the piece from different angles.
Technical analysis reveals that the legs were cast together with the torso using an advanced casting method for its time. The combined weight of approximately 63 kilograms demonstrates the substantial size and density of this ancient work.
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