Not on display

This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Pallas Athena

Relief
19th century (made)
Artist/Maker

This is a wax and plaster relief from an antique gem now at Vienna. The relief represents Pallas Athene.

Pallas Athena is the Greek goddess of war, wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, the arts, crafts, and skill. Athena is also the goddess of heroic endeavour and the patroness of Athens. She was the favourite daughter of Zeus usually shown wearing a helmet and carrying a spear and shield. As opposed to the Greek goddess of war Ares, she represents civilized and intellectual side of war, being also wise in the arts of peace. Athena is also often shown with an olive branch, a symbol of peace and plenty.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Relief
  • Plaque
TitlePallas Athena (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Wax and plaster carved in relief
Brief description
Relief, wax and plaster, Pallas Athene, from an antique gem now in Vienna, English, 19th century
Physical description
Wax and plaster relief of Pallas Athene.
Dimensions
  • Height: 3.49cm
  • Width: 2.54cm
Credit line
Given by R. C. Lucas
Object history
Given by the British neo-classical sculptor Richard Cockle Lucas in 1865, together with twenty-two ivory carvings, twelve waxes, sixteen other gems, a marble group and a portrait in plaster.
Production
from an antique gem now at Vienna
Subject depicted
Summary
This is a wax and plaster relief from an antique gem now at Vienna. The relief represents Pallas Athene.

Pallas Athena is the Greek goddess of war, wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, the arts, crafts, and skill. Athena is also the goddess of heroic endeavour and the patroness of Athens. She was the favourite daughter of Zeus usually shown wearing a helmet and carrying a spear and shield. As opposed to the Greek goddess of war Ares, she represents civilized and intellectual side of war, being also wise in the arts of peace. Athena is also often shown with an olive branch, a symbol of peace and plenty.
Bibliographic reference
Inventory of Art Objects acquired in the Year 1865. Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol. 1. London : Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 29
Collection
Accession number
245&A-1865

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Record createdFebruary 5, 2004
Record URL
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