6th century BC. A bronze figure of a kouros, depicted as a slim nude male with narrow shoulders and hair swept back, standing with knees flexed, left arm extended with open hand, right arm bent, holding a thunderbolt, with the attribute of god Tinia. See Scott D.A., Ancient Metals: Microstructure and Metallurgy, volume I, Los Angeles, 2001, especially p.143ff, for discussion of the realisation of the Etruscan kouroi.52 grams, 75mm (3"). Property of a Durham lady; formerly in the collection of her mother, Mrs Allan; acquired from Sotheby & Co, 34-35 New Bond Street, London, UK, in the 1960s; thence by descent to the current owner; accompanied by a collector’s tag, and the original Sotheby’s tag with item number 025885. This kind of statuette as cast via the lost wax (cire perdue) technique, and represents a wonderful homage to male youth, the highest ideal of beauty in the Classical world. Such works were most likely dedicated in a sanctuary as a votive offering to the gods. Very unusually, he has the attributes of the powerful Tinia (corresponding to the Greek Zeus and the Roman Jupiter").