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Object Name |
Asklepios |
Object ID# |
MC 0283 |
Date |
c. 300 BC |
Description |
The son of Apollo and Coronis, he was regarded as the founder of medical science. This head, that one time held a wreath, was found in a shrine of Asklepios on the island of Melos together with votive inscriptions to this deity and to Hygeia, his daughter, the Goddess of Health. According to the myth, the wide Centaur Cheiron instructed Asklepios in the art of healing and he developed such skill in surgery and the use of drugs that he surpassed his teacher and was regarded as the founder of medical science. When he used his knowledge to raise the dead, Hades, Lord of the Underworld, complained to Zeus, who killed Asklepios with a thunderbolt. At the intervention of Apollo, however, Zeus restored him to life, made him the God of Medicine, and set his image, holding the curative serpent staff among the stars. This head was once part of a colossal statue. The 22" original-called the "Blacas Head" after the collection from which it was acquired by the British Museum-is carved of Parian marble. It was not made of a single block but was formed of three principal pieces; the angles on which these were set serve to establish the poise of the head. The section representing the face was fastened to the body (of which the neck remains) by a dowel set in lead. The back of the head, also made as a separate piece, is now missing. The heavy masses of hair were at one time encircled by a metal wreath consisting of about 150 leaves which were arranged in three rows and were probably gilded. Numerous lead rivets with which this ornament was fastened into drill holes have been preserved. The ideal head could serve for Zeus as well as for Asklepios. It was, however, found in 1828, in a shrine of Asklepios on the Island of Melos together with votive inscriptions to this deity and to Hygeia, his daughter, the Goddess of Health. In this Alva Museum Replica, the missing back of the head was restored. |
Place of Origin |
Island of Melos Greece |
Medium |
Statue head |
Material |
Parian marble (orig.) // Bonded marble (copy) |
Location of Original |
The British Museum London Reduced from the famous "Blacas Head |
Dimensions Details |
Height: 22 inches (orig.) //185 mm (copy) plus stand Width: 143 mm Depth: 145 mm |