This life-size monumental bronze masterpiece is the dominant feature, right in the centre of Room 21 of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. You can't miss it!

Recovered in 1928 from a shipwreck off Cape Artemision near Euboia - today's Evia - the sculpture measures 2.90 long and 2.10 metres high. Cast ca 150–140 BCE, it captures explosive speed and intense physical strain. You can see the magnificent pedigree horse's flaring nostrils and bulging, raised veins, and the tiny jockey's tunic billowing in deep, wind-whipped folds.

Standing just 84 centimeters tall, the 10-to-12-year-old jockey (discovered at the same site in 1937) was intentionally small to save weight, as ancient Greeks raced bareback without saddles or stirrups. The boy's facial structure and tightly curled hair indicate he was of African descent, quite possibly a foreign slave traded for his exceptional equestrian skills.

On the original, the horse's right thigh is branded with an engraving of Nike holding a wreath, proving the statue was commissioned by an individual of considerable wealth, to be dedicated to celebrate a prestigious win in a single-horse race at the Olympic or Pythian Games at Olympia and Delphi respectively.

Though the exact bronze workshop is unknown to us, the complex engineering required to balance a galloping horse points to a major artistic hub like Athens, Rhodes, or Pergamon.

The horse - Greek 'hippos' - was a symbol of wealth, status, military power, and divine majesty. Horses were integral to a thriving economy, and an essential part of victorious warfare. These high value and high maintenance luxury items, were pretty much restricted to ownership by the aristocracy and/or the wealthy.

Owning and entering chariot teams in the Panhellenic Games (such as the Olympic in Olympia, the Pythian in Delphi) and in the Panathenaic Games in Athens, brought great prestige to the owner. Achilles in the Iliad rode into battle with immortal horses (who could also speak) - Xanthos and Balios.

Poseidon, god of the sea, oceans, and earthquakes, created the horse from the crashing waves, connecting the animal's untamed, powerful spirit to elemental fury. The sun god Helios and the moon goddess Selene drove their horse-drawn chariots across the sky, anchoring the horse in the daily rhythm of the universe. Pegasus the winged horse, and son of Poseidon and Medusa, represents the ultimate bridge between the earthly realm and divine inspiration.

Figurines in bronze and terracotta have been found in abundance in ancient Greek religious sanctuaries, where they would have been sold to visitors to leave as offerings to the gods.

The gift of a horse sculpture is perfect for a lover of horses, whether or not he or she is called Philip or Philippa!

In modern psychological dream analysis, the horse generally represents primal energy, libido/life force, and the deep currents of the unconscious mind that propel us forward.

Hephaistos would be amazed by the craftsmanship and quality of this wonderful collection!

These superb bronze pieces are cast in Greece using the traditional lost wax method. As nothing is mass-produced, there will inevitably be slight variations in texture, patina, and colour. No two pieces are ever the same. If mounted, the base is of black marble.

Please note that there may be a variation of some millimetres in the dimensions of the base from time to time, and that accessories such as spears, tridents or javelins may vary in length or height! If you need precise dimensions and weight, email me!

If you need a piece to fit a very specific space, or if you want me to take a photo of a couple of pieces so you can pick the one you want, I will do so with pleasure.

Every piece is deliciously tactile.

It's All Greek is so grateful and so proud to have been working closely with the Semitekolo family foundry since 1999. It has been a privilege and a joy to handle, live with, to photograph and describe these gorgeous pieces, before passing them on to passionate and grateful customers all over the world.

If you already own one of these pieces, cherish it!