Statuette

Function: Statuette of Athena wearing the aegis and a Corinthian helmet, mounting a chariot drawn by four horses. Horses are naturalistically rendered, but heavily restored. Chariot wheels not preserved. The composition was mounted on a platform, which is not preserved.Acquisition: Excavated at Mersinaki in north-western Cyprus by the Swedish Cyprus Expedition (1927-1931). Acquired by the Cyprus Collections, subsequently the Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm in 1931 when the finds from Cyprus were brought to Sweden and the museum set up.Why this is a masterpieceThis is a unique composition in the Coroplastic Art of the period. The cult of Athena was widespread in Cyprus during the fifth century BC and this object is indicative of the strong cultural ties with Greece.History of the ObjectExcavated in the sacred area of Mersinaki, located half way between Soloi and Vouni near the north coast of Cyprus. (Virtual Collection of Masterpieces, http://masterpieces.asemus.museum/Default.aspx)