Collection Item – Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

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Plaster Cast Youth and horse from Parthenon frieze; Ministry of Culture Archaeological Receipts Fund; ca. 1988-1989; CC25

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitlePlaster Cast Youth and horse from Parthenon frieze

About this objectThis cast has been copied from a fragment of the North frieze of the Parthenon. The marble original is a fragment of Block N XL showing a youth and horse. The North frieze continues the scene which begins on the West frieze: the preparation for the Panathenaic procession of the horsemen in the Kerameikos.

Our youth is a rider in the midst of 10 groups of horsemen, which are thought to represent the tribes of Attica. The youth is bare-headed and wearing a sleeveless chiton. The horses and riders around our youth appear to be pulling up quite sharply in some cases, as shown by the rearing horses head with its nostrils flared. This may be caused by an obstruction in the procession ahead, causing the riders behind to pile up into each other.

The Panathenaic procession was part of the Panathenaic festival which took place each year to celebrate the goddess Athena, making this a fitting scene for a monument in the city named after the goddess. The procession took place on the last day of the festival. Beginning in the Kerameikos, or Potter's Quarter, the procession wound its way to the Acropolis bringing offerings to Athena.

MakerMinistry of Culture Archaeological Receipts Fund

Maker RoleCasting and Copying Workshop

Date Madeca. 1988-1989

PeriodEarly Classical

Place MadeGreece; Athens

Medium and MaterialsPlaster

Style and IconographyAttic

TechniqueCasting (process)

Measurements420mm x 860mm x 50mm

Subject and Association KeywordsAnimals in art

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

Credit LinePurchased, 1996.

Object TypeSculpture

Object numberCC25