Figurine - Minerva/Athena

Art

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

Entry/Object ID

VC.64.105

Description

Figurine of Minerva: Full-length figure, standing; white gold trimmed helmet, long light brown hair, white aqua-lined mantle over right shoulder and upper arm, purplish-pink-lined garment with occasional yellow and purplish-pink stripes, sprigs of blue and red blossoms with green leaves; over garment, girdle of gold outlined plates; standing firmly on red-strapped, gold-buttoned sandals, against tree trunk; right hand raised and crooked; left hand rests atop shield of oval shape bearing gold-decorated relief of snaky-locked and bearded gorgon head; beneath shield, on pile of three books (pale blue, pink and white bindings) sits small pinkish-brown owl, with yellow eyes, beak, breast, and feet (a traditional attribute of Minerva as Goddess of Wisdom); base of figure-rococo shell-like swirls touched with gold, aqua, pale green.

Artwork Details

Medium

Porcelain (hard-paste)

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Unknown

Attribution

Maker

Date made

circa 1760

Other Names and Numbers

Other Number

PM.60.3-3130

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Overall

Height

14-1/4 in

Width

7 in

Depth

5 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 14 1/4 x 7 x 5 in. (36.2 x 17.8 x 12.7 cm)

Condition

Notes

Remarks: Details of condition: Tip right-index figure missing, and 3 flowers; several leaves and flowers missing partially or cracked.

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Cornelia Van Cortlandt Beekman

Notes

Former owner

General Notes

Note Type

Curatorial Remarks

Note

Gorgon-headed shield, books, and owl attributes of Minerva as Goddess of Wisdom.

Note Type

General Note

Note

According to PAMPH 974.727726 PF 1959 S: "Acquired by trade with the Historical Society of the Tarrytowns."

Note Type

StorageNote

Note

Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Van Cortlandt Manor, Dining Room