Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. In a word, WOW! An expertly cast leaded bronze bust of Minerva (Greek Athena), goddess of wisdom, art, commerce, and military victory, depicted in her military guise, donning a crested Corinthian helmet adorned by a fabulous feathered plume and a traditional aegis. Her beautiful visage is comprised of almond-shaped eyes with concave pupils that may have once held inlays and delineated lids, an elegantly arched browline leading to an aquiline nose, bow-shaped lips, and smooth cheeks, topped by a centrally-parted wavy coiffure. She wears an aegis with snakeskins crossing a pleated swag over her chest, and the bust rises from an integral rectangular footed pedestal. Size: 2.25" W x 4.9" H (5.7 cm x 12.4 cm)
Regarded as the daughter of Jupiter, from whose head she allegedly 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 Paris art market, May 1984; E.B. collection, Orion, Michigan, USA, acquired from Royal Athena in January 1985. On loan to Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA; Fitchburg Art Museum, 1985-2016.
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#156855
Condition
Minor abrasions and light encrustations to pedestal, chest, head, and helmet, with very light softening to some finer details, otherwise intact and excellent. Fantastic patina and nice earthen deposits throughout.