Collection Item – Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

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Plaster Cast Head of the goddess Hera; Ministry of Culture Archaeological Receipts Fund; ca. 1988-1989; CC21

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitlePlaster Cast Head of the goddess Hera

About this objectThis plaster cast copy is believed to be the goddess Hera, created after a marble head of the goddess from the Argive Heraion, c. 420 BC. Hera is depicted in the Classical style, indicated by the naturalistic treatment of her hair, facial features, and calm expression. Also characteristic of this style is the detailed treatment of the centrally-parted wavy hair that is bound with a filet and gathered at the back. The head is approximately life-size, and the original is known to be from the school of the sculptor Polykleitos, who was from Argos.

Hera was the patron goddess of the city of Argos where a sanctuary and temple, known as the Argive Heraion, was dedicated to her in the eighth century BC. The sanctuary was of major religious and political importance in the Classical Period, and this head would have been part of a statue dedicated to Hera at the temple.

The Greek goddess Hera, wife of Zeus, is often described in myth as wrathful and jealous. In contrast, this calm and dignified face is a useful reminder of her significance as a focus of everyday worship. As the goddess of both marriage and childbirth, Hera played a vital role in protecting every family. The Romans adopted Hera's characteristics and mythology from the Greeks for their goddess Juno who, alongside Jupiter (Zeus) and Minerva (Athena), was part of the supreme triad that dominated Roman state religion.

Like many other casts in the Logie collection, Hera features light pink tinting, particularly around her ears, which may been intended to imitate the ancient custom of painting sculpture.

MakerMinistry of Culture Archaeological Receipts Fund

Maker RoleCasting and Copying Workshop

Date Madeca. 1988-1989

PeriodClassical

Place MadeGreece; Athens

Medium and MaterialsPlaster

Style and IconographyClassical

TechniqueCasting (process)

Measurements300mm x 200mm x 235mm

Subject and Association KeywordsGoddesses in art

Subject and Association KeywordsWomen in art

Subject and Association KeywordsArt and religion

Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Credit LinePurchased, 1996.

Object TypeSculpture

Object numberCC21