Winged Nike Victory of Samothrace Statue Gold Tone Alabaster 13.8 Inches

Description

Winged Nike Victory of Samothrace Statue Gold Tone Alabaster 13.8 Inches
Height: 13.8 inches (35 cm)
Width: 6.1 inches (16 cm)
Depth: 8.4 inches (21 cm)
Weight: 4.28 lbs (1940 gr)
A commemorative Rhodian monument
The sanctuary at Samothrace was consecrated to the Cabeiri, gods of fertility whose help was invoked to protect seafarers and to grant victory in war. The offering of a statue of Nike perched on a ship was a religious act in honor of these gods. It has also been suggested that this monument was dedicated by the Rhodians in commemoration of a specific naval victory. The type of ship depicted and the gray marble used for the prow and base of the statue both suggest that this is indeed a Rhodian creation. If it is associated with a major Rhodian naval victory, the work can be dated to the second century BC-it would have been erected in honor of the battle of Myonnisos, or perhaps the Rhodian victory at Side in 190 BC against the fleet of Antiochus III of Syria.
A Hellenistic work steeped in tradition
The Winged Victory of Samothrace is one of the masterpieces of Hellenistic sculpture. The figure creates a spiraling effect in a composition that opens out in various directions. This is achieved by the oblique angles of the wings and the placement of the left leg, and emphasized by the clothing blowing between the goddess's legs. The nude female body is revealed by the transparency of the wet drapery, much in the manner of classical works from the fifth century BC, while the cord worn just beneath the breasts recalls a clothing style that was popular beginning in the fourth century. In the treatment of the tunic-sometimes brushing against the body, sometimes billowing in the wind-the sculptor has been remarkably skillful in creating visual effects. The decorative richness, sense of volume, and intensity of movement are characteristic of a Rhodian style that prefigures the baroque creations of the Pergamene school (180-160 BC).
A presentation mixing grandeur and theatricality
This exceptional monument was unearthed in 1863 on the small island of Samothrace in the northwest Aegean. It was discovered by Charles Champoiseau, French Vice-Consul to Adrianople (Turkey). The goddess of Victory (Nike, in Greek) is shown in the form of a winged woman standing on the prow of a ship, braced against the strong wind blowing through her garments. With her right hand cupped around her mouth, she announced the event she was dedicated to commemorate. The colossal work was placed in a rock niche that had been dug into a hill; it overlooked the theater of the Sanctuary of the Great Gods. This niche may also have contained a pool filled with water in which the ship appeared to float. Given its placement, the work was meant to be viewed from the front left-hand side; this explains the disparity in sculpting technique, the right side of the body being much less detailed. The highly theatrical presentation-combined with the goddess's monumentality, wide wingspan, and the vigor of her forward-thrusting body-reinforces the reality of the scene.
Terms of Sale
Return Policy
Customers must inspect item(s) and notify us within 14 days of any problems.
If you have a problem with your item please contact us before leaving feedback.
Returns are accepted, the buyer must pay my initial shipping cost and also pay for the return shipping cost. Items must be returned in the exact same condition that they were shipped out in. I don't do returns based on size/colour and failure to read my item description and review pictures.
Warranty
No manufacturer's warranty should be expected unless stated in description
Terms & Conditions
By paying for this item you acknowledge you reviewed all the pictures/description are satisfied with the condition and any other feature the item has, if you have any questions about the item, size color ext, message me prior to purchasing. Only what is in the pictures is included, nothing else, don't assume anything. If cables, accessories or anything else isn't pictured then there not included.
If you are dissatisfied for any reason, please don't be quick to leave negative/neutral feedback I'll do my best to work things out if there is a problem with your purchase.
If you are satisfied with the product and service, please leave positive feedback.
Thanks for looking, check out my other eBay listings. Be sure to click Follow This Seller if your interested in more items like this.
Our shipments are processed within 1 business day of cleared payment. (excluding holidays)
Thanks for looking!