Accessori in metallo nella scultura greca. Il caso del tesoro dei Sifni a Delfi

This paper deals with the notion of metal attachments applied on Greek sculpture. The aim is to highlight the methodological guidelines of the discipline. The Greeks were fond of attaching metal objects on sculptural surfaces. The survey considers the literary and epigraphical testimonia; then, it discusses some Archaic free-standing and relief sculptures, showing the reconstruction of their lost attachments: weapons, jewels, and also wigs and bronze beards. The practice grows with architectural sculpture: a well-known case study is the Siphnian Treasury at Delphi and its mix of marble, metal and painting. The monument is described from a technological point of view. Many holes are drilled for a large number of metal ornaments, weapons, reins, and so on. This analysis demonstrates that metal attachments perform a cultural service, fulfilling Archaic values, revealing identities and iconographies – as for the goddess W8 on the West frieze.