Roman Leaded Bronze Statue of Minerva (Athena)
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A superb leaded bronze statue of Minerva (Greek Athena) - the goddess of wisdom, medicine, art, commerce, and military victory - here depicted standing with her right hand raised and clenched in a grip to hold a sword (separately cast and now missing). Minerva dons her crested, plumed helmet and long, pleated chiton with a generous overfold, and a finely detailed aegis of Medusa. According to Greek mythology, when Perseus killed the gorgon Medusa, whose face turned men to stone, he gave Medusa's head to Athena (Roman Minerva) who placed it on her aegis. Size: 2.875" H (7.3 cm)
Regarded as the daughter of Jupiter, from whose head she purportedly was born, Minerva was initially worshipped in Rome as one of the Capitoline Triad along with Jupiter and Juno. At first she was revered as the goddess of handicrafts, poetry, and the arts in general. Over time, Minerva's stature grew within the Roman pantheon and she became the most important focus of the Quinquatrus festival, which previously had been the domain of Mars, whose amorous affections she famously refused. The five-day festival began on March 19th marking the beginning of the Roman army's campaign season. Minerva also became associated with the concept of victory, as illustrated by Pompey's dedication of a temple to her following his successful campaigns in the east. Similarly, Emperor Domitian claimed the goddess as his protectress and in the second half of the 1st century CE commissioned a temple to her in the Nerva Forum in Rome.
Provenance: ex Estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA acquired before 2000
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#158404
Condition Report: Minor wear/nicks to plumed helmet, hemline of garment, and other high-pointed areas. Missing sword. This said, the details are incredibly well preserved. Bronze has developed a gorgeous patina - rich burgundy, russet, as well as areas of aqua.
View it on
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A superb leaded bronze statue of Minerva (Greek Athena) - the goddess of wisdom, medicine, art, commerce, and military victory - here depicted standing with her right hand raised and clenched in a grip to hold a sword (separately cast and now missing). Minerva dons her crested, plumed helmet and long, pleated chiton with a generous overfold, and a finely detailed aegis of Medusa. According to Greek mythology, when Perseus killed the gorgon Medusa, whose face turned men to stone, he gave Medusa's head to Athena (Roman Minerva) who placed it on her aegis. Size: 2.875" H (7.3 cm)
Regarded as the daughter of Jupiter, from whose head she purportedly was born, Minerva was initially worshipped in Rome as one of the Capitoline Triad along with Jupiter and Juno. At first she was revered as the goddess of handicrafts, poetry, and the arts in general. Over time, Minerva's stature grew within the Roman pantheon and she became the most important focus of the Quinquatrus festival, which previously had been the domain of Mars, whose amorous affections she famously refused. The five-day festival began on March 19th marking the beginning of the Roman army's campaign season. Minerva also became associated with the concept of victory, as illustrated by Pompey's dedication of a temple to her following his successful campaigns in the east. Similarly, Emperor Domitian claimed the goddess as his protectress and in the second half of the 1st century CE commissioned a temple to her in the Nerva Forum in Rome.
Provenance: ex Estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA acquired before 2000
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#158404
Condition Report: Minor wear/nicks to plumed helmet, hemline of garment, and other high-pointed areas. Missing sword. This said, the details are incredibly well preserved. Bronze has developed a gorgeous patina - rich burgundy, russet, as well as areas of aqua.
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
