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{{Short description|Ancient Greek statue}}
{{Infobox artefact
{{Infobox artefact
| image = [[File:Marble Statue of Demeter.jpg|250px]]
| image = Marble Statue of Demeter.jpg
| image_caption = Demeter of Knidos
| image_caption = Demeter of Knidos
| material = Marble
| material = Marble
Line 9: Line 10:
| location = [[British Museum]], [[London]]
| location = [[British Museum]], [[London]]
| id =
| id =
| registration =
| registration = 1859.12-26.26
}}
}}


The '''Demeter of Knidos''' is a life-size, seated ancient Greek statue that was discovered in the port of [[Knidos]], south-west Asia Minor (present-day Turkey). Now part of the [[British Museum]]'s collection, it is an example of [[Hellenistic]] sculpture from around 350BC.<ref name=high>British Museum Highlights [http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/gr/m/marble_statue_of_demeter.aspx Marble statue of Demeter], BritishMuseum.org, retrieved 30 November 2013</ref><ref name=coll>British Museum Collection [http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=460416&partId=1&people=97012&peoA=97012-1-7&page=1 Statue], BritishMuseum.org, retrieved 30 November 2013</ref><ref name=proj>British Museum Research Project at Knidos [http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/projects/return_to_cnidus/excavations.aspx Return to Cnidus], BritishMuseum.org, retrieved 30 November 2013</ref>
The '''Demeter of Knidos''' is a life-size, seated ancient [[Greek statue|Greek]] statue that was erected near the ancient port of [[Knidos]], south-west [[Asia Minor]] (now near [[Datça]] in present-day [[Turkey]]). Now part of the [[British Museum]]'s collection, it is an impressive example of [[Hellenistic]] sculpture from around 350 BC.<ref name=high>British Museum Highlights [https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/marble-statue-of-demeter/iAGScv9ZxUJAJA Marble statue of Demeter], BritishMuseum.org, retrieved 10 January 2016</ref><ref name=coll>British Museum Collection [https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=460416&partId=1&people=97012&peoA=97012-1-7&page=1 Statue], BritishMuseum.org, retrieved 30 November 2013</ref><ref name=proj>British Museum Research Project at Knidos [https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/projects/return_to_cnidus/excavations.aspx Return to Cnidus], BritishMuseum.org, retrieved 30 November 2013</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
The statue is made of [[marble]] and in its seated position is approximately {{convert|150|cm|ftin}} high. The goddess is seated on a throne and while parts of the sculpture are in excellent condition, the back and arm-rails of the throne, as well as her lower arms and hands, separately carved, are missing. The head was also carved independently from the body and fixed onto the neck. Demeter is depicted in a serene, timeless manner, that unveils her motherly role in the [[Twelve Olympians|Greek pantheon of gods]].
The statue is made of [[marble]] and in its seated position is approximately {{convert|150|cm|ftin}} high. The [[goddess]] is seated on a throne and while parts of the sculpture are in excellent condition, the back and arm-rails of the [[throne]], as well as her lower arms and hands, separately carved, are missing. The head was also carved independently from the body and fixed onto the neck. Demeter is depicted in a serene, timeless manner, that unveils her motherly role in the [[Twelve Olympians|Greek pantheon of gods]].


==Sanctuary of Demeter==
==Sanctuary of Demeter==
[[Demeter]] was the goddess of fertility, she created the harvest, the grain and other crops and the circle of the seasons. At Knidos she was worshipped with [[Hades]] and the other [[Greek underworld|underworld deities]] including her mythical daughter [[Persephone]].<ref name=high/> The Sanctuary of Demeter at Knidos was laid out in 350 BC, when the city was reestablished. The sanctuary consisted of a long terrace built into the side of an acropolis, overlooking the city and seascape below. Many votive sculptures were deposited within the sanctuary. Most of these were discovered by excavators in fragments, but the statue of divine Demeter herself remains relatively intact.
[[Demeter]] was the goddess of agriculture and of fertility who created the [[harvest]], the grain and other crops as well as the circle of [[seasons]]. At Knidos she was worshipped with [[Hades]] and the other [[Greek underworld|underworld deities]] including her mythical daughter [[Persephone]].<ref name=high/> The Sanctuary of Demeter at Knidos was laid out in 350 BC, when the city was reestablished. The sanctuary consisted of a long terrace built into the side of an acropolis, overlooking the city and seascape below. Many votive sculptures were deposited within the sanctuary. Most of these were discovered by excavators in fragments, but the statue of divine Demeter herself remains relatively intact.


==Excavation and Removal==
==Discovery==
The Demeter of Knidos was found by the British archaeologist Sir [[Charles Thomas Newton]] in 1857-58<ref>[http://sammlung.theologie.uni-halle.de/demeter/?lang=en Martin-Luther Universität: "Dermeter of Knidos".]</ref> and was almost immediately sent to London to become part of the [[British Museum]]'s Ancient Greek and Roman collection.
The British archaeologist Sir [[Charles Thomas Newton]] excavated The Demeter of Knidos in 1857–58<ref>[http://sammlung.theologie.uni-halle.de/demeter/?lang=en Martin-Luther Universität: "Dermeter of Knidos".]</ref> and almost immediately removed it to London to become part of the [[British Museum]]'s Ancient Greek and Roman collection.<ref name=coll/>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
== Further reading ==
*B. Ashmole, 'Demeter of Cnidus', Journal of Hellenic Studies-1, 71 (1951), pp.&nbsp;13–28
* B. Ashmole, 'Demeter of Cnidus', Journal of Hellenic Studies-1, 71 (1951), pp.&nbsp;13–28
*C. Bruns-Ozgan, Knidos: A Guide to the Ancient Site, Konya 2004
* C. Bruns-Ozgan, Knidos: A Guide to the Ancient Site, Konya 2004
*G.Bean, Cnidus, Turkey beyond the Maeander, London 1980, chapter 12, pp 111–127
* G.Bean, Cnidus, Turkey beyond the Maeander, London 1980, chapter 12, pp 111–127


{{British Museum}}


[[Category:Greek and Roman objects in the British Museum]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek and Roman sculptures in the British Museum]]
[[Category:Statues]]
[[Category:Marble sculptures in the United Kingdom]]
⚫
[[Category:Marble sculptures]]
[[Category:Hellenistic sculpture]]
[[Category:Hellenistic sculpture]]
[[Category:4th-century BC Greek sculptures]]
[[Category:4th-century BC Greek sculptures]]
⚫
[[Category:Sculptures of Demeter]]
[[Category:Findings in Turkey outside Turkey]]
[[Category:1857 archaeological discoveries]]

Latest revision as of 23:32, 9 June 2024

Demeter of Knidos
Demeter of Knidos
MaterialMarble
Size150 cm high
Createdc. 350 BC
Present locationBritish Museum, London
Registration1859.12-26.26

The Demeter of Knidos is a life-size, seated ancient Greek statue that was erected near the ancient port of Knidos, south-west Asia Minor (now near Datça in present-day Turkey). Now part of the British Museum's collection, it is an impressive example of Hellenistic sculpture from around 350 BC.[1][2][3]

Description

[edit]

The statue is made of marble and in its seated position is approximately 150 centimetres (4 ft 11 in) high. The goddess is seated on a throne and while parts of the sculpture are in excellent condition, the back and arm-rails of the throne, as well as her lower arms and hands, separately carved, are missing. The head was also carved independently from the body and fixed onto the neck. Demeter is depicted in a serene, timeless manner, that unveils her motherly role in the Greek pantheon of gods.

Sanctuary of Demeter

[edit]

Demeter was the goddess of agriculture and of fertility who created the harvest, the grain and other crops as well as the circle of seasons. At Knidos she was worshipped with Hades and the other underworld deities including her mythical daughter Persephone.[1] The Sanctuary of Demeter at Knidos was laid out in 350 BC, when the city was reestablished. The sanctuary consisted of a long terrace built into the side of an acropolis, overlooking the city and seascape below. Many votive sculptures were deposited within the sanctuary. Most of these were discovered by excavators in fragments, but the statue of divine Demeter herself remains relatively intact.

Excavation and Removal

[edit]

The British archaeologist Sir Charles Thomas Newton excavated The Demeter of Knidos in 1857–58[4] and almost immediately removed it to London to become part of the British Museum's Ancient Greek and Roman collection.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b British Museum Highlights Marble statue of Demeter, BritishMuseum.org, retrieved 10 January 2016
  2. ^ a b British Museum Collection Statue, BritishMuseum.org, retrieved 30 November 2013
  3. ^ British Museum Research Project at Knidos Return to Cnidus, BritishMuseum.org, retrieved 30 November 2013
  4. ^ Martin-Luther Universität: "Dermeter of Knidos".

Further reading

[edit]
  • B. Ashmole, 'Demeter of Cnidus', Journal of Hellenic Studies-1, 71 (1951), pp. 13–28
  • C. Bruns-Ozgan, Knidos: A Guide to the Ancient Site, Konya 2004
  • G.Bean, Cnidus, Turkey beyond the Maeander, London 1980, chapter 12, pp 111–127
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