Bronze man and centaur

Ancient Greek One of the oldest known Greek bronze figural groups, dating to roughly 750 BCE. A man is locked in combat with a centaur, probably Herakles fighting Nessos after the centaur attacked Herakles' wife Dejanira. A weapon-head projects from the centaur's left side.

The eyes tell the story of ancient metalwork at its finest. The man's eyes were inlaid with silver, while the centaur's used reddish iron, creating a deliberate contrast between hero and beast. It stands just 4.4 inches (11.1 cm) tall, yet every detail is precise. Made using the lost-wax casting process, it comes from a Laconian Geometric workshop, possibly from Olympia.

J. Pierpont Morgan gifted it posthumously to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1917. It's in the Greek and Roman Art galleries.