Collection Item – Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

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Plaster Cast Head of a goddess; Ministry of Culture Archaeological Receipts Fund; ca. 1988-1989; CC23

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitlePlaster Cast Head of a goddess

About this objectThis head of a woman, probably a goddess, is a plaster cast of a Greek original. Her head is slightly larger than life size, and she gazes downward to the right, suggesting that the complete statue was originally positioned higher than the level of the viewer. Her thoughtful expression is typical of the Classical style. It also reflects the dominance of the gods in their relationship with humans.

Her hair is loosely pulled into a relaxed bun and the parting is offset to the right. Her facial features and hairstyle represent the aims of the Classical sculptors, as they are more naturalistic than the previous Archaic and Severe styles.

The original head was found at the Temple of Athena Alea at Tegea in the early nineteenth century, and has previously been identified as the goddess Hygeia. It has been suggested that this head was carved by the fourth-century sculptor, Scopas of Paros but not all scholars accept the original work as one by Scopas. The identification of the goddess as Hygeia is also debated. Hygeia was the goddess of hygiene and cleanliness, but the sanctuary of Athena Alea at Tegea is not known as a healing sanctuary and the goddess Athena’s powers do not specifically include healing.

Athena’s epithet, Alea, may refer to the King of Tegea, Aleus, who is said to have built the temple to Athena at Tegea. Following excavations of the site it has been proposed that the numerous votives relating to the site between the late eighth-seventh centuries BC represent Alea, a local Arcadian goddess. Alea, it is argued, was an ancient protector of the town and a goddess of fertility. Athena Alea may therefore represent both deities through her name.

MakerMinistry of Culture Archaeological Receipts Fund

Maker RoleCasting and Copying Workshop

Date Madeca. 1988-1989

PeriodLate Classical

Place MadeGreece; Athens

Medium and MaterialsPlaster

Style and IconographyClassical

TechniqueCasting (process)

Measurements355mm x 210mm

Subject and Association KeywordsGoddesses in art

Subject and Association KeywordsArt and religion

Subject and Association KeywordsWomen in art

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

Credit LinePurchased, 1996.

Object TypeSculpture

Object numberCC23