RB042
Roman archaistic bronze figure of Athena Promachos.
1st Century AD.
H. 14 cm. (5 7/16 in.)
Missing feet, spear, shield and the crest of the helmet. Damaged nose and mouth. Fine black patina.
Ex. Sotheby???s London 9-10 July 1992, lot 448
Sold
Athena (-Minerva), goddess of wisdom and war, is marching to the battle (-Promachos) with her left leg advanced. Her right arm raised to hold a spear, and her left arm was holding a shield. She wears a crested helmet, her peplos tight over her body with long folds, covered with himation gathered on her right shoulder.
The Roman Archaistic sculpture is in Greek Archaic style, of the end of 6th century BC. The goddess is presented in a frozen posture, her face with large almond shaped eyes, her hair and the folds of the peplos and himation are stylized. The presentation of Athena in combat is a rare presentation of the goddess. An original Greek Archaic Athena Promachos was found in the Athenian Acropolis, now in the National Museum of Athens.
Cf. Claude Rolley, Greek Bronzes, Sotheby’s Publications, 1986, No.86.
A parallel to the Roman archaistic bronze Athena is in the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. Cf. Ibid. No. 195.
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