The story of Geryon, the three-bodied giant, is part of the cycle that describes the 12 labours of Herakles. The hero was assigned the task of stealing the monstrous giant's herd of cattle. Geryon lost his life in an attempt to stop him.

This figurine is one of the extremely rare depictions of this episode from Greek mythology. This character's triple form is recreated quite simply by adding a smaller head on each shoulder. The giant is portrayed facing forwards, and has his right arm raised, probably brandishing a projectile, while the left one would have held a shield which has since been lost.

His accoutrements, barely hinted at as they would initially have been covered by the shield, are typical of a Hoplite (a soldier in the Greek infantry): a short close-fitting tunic and greaves (shin guards), and a Chalcidian, or Corinthian, helmet with a broken crest on each head. The stiff pose and the facial features place this piece, inspired by Greek models, among the work produced in Archaic Etruria.