site.bta1st c Bronze Bust of Pallas Athena Exhibit of the Month for June of National Archaeological Museum

1st c Bronze Bust of Pallas Athena Exhibit of the Month for June of National Archaeological Museum
1st c Bronze Bust of Pallas Athena Exhibit of the Month for June of National Archaeological Museum
Bronze Bust of Pallas Athena (NAIM-BAS Photo)

A 1st century AD bronze bust of Pallas Athena is the exhibit of the month for June of the  National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NAIM-BAS).

The figurine represents a bust of Athena emerging from a flowered cup placed on a tall circular base. The goddess is depicted as a young, determined woman. Her head is tilted down, turned slightly to the right. It has an elaborately crafted Italo-Corinthian helmet with a large rounded calotte ending with a sphinx figure and a double crest.

On the pediment is a relief image of an anthropomorphic mask (nose, eyes and eyebrows). Athena's hair is tied in a bun at the nape. Her body is protected by a leather cuirass decorated with a snake and an appliqué of the Medusa in the centre. The right shoulder of the goddess is draped with a himation.

The statue was created in the 1st century but is a later version of one of the most popular types from the 5th century BC – that of Athena of Velletri. The bust was discovered by chance, on December 6, 1945, in the Kinkeliyata locality near the southern town of Svilengrad, together with three other bronze figurines of Apollo, Tyche and Athena, interpreted as belonging to a home sanctuary (lararium).

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By 10:07 on 28.03.2024 Today`s news

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