£57,400.00
incl. VAT plus Shipping Costs
Delivery time: 2 weeks. Deliveries to Scotland: 3 weeks. Free delivery in England, Scotland & Wales (except islands)
USA delivery click here
The Pallas Athena Giustiniani (or Giustiniani Minerva) is an Antonine Roman marble statue from around 100 AD, modelled on a Greek Hellenistic bronze sculpture of Pallas Athena from the late fifth to early fourth century BC. It was carved from the finest Parian marble.
The sculpture was probably more of a cult image than a decorative cultural trophy. The serpent on Athena’s right foot is reminiscent of the archaic myth of Erichthonios in his serpentine form. The forearms have been restored, as have the spear and the sphinx on the goddess’s Corinthian helmet.
The replica offered in our online shop is based on the plaster cast of the original marble statue from the Museo Ciaramonti – Vatican Museums. The Roman marble sculpture was discovered in the early 17th century, allegedly in the ruins of a decagonal nymphaeum on the Esquiline Hill, which was therefore incorrectly identified as the “Temple of Minerva Medica”. The Orto di Minerva next to the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, which was widely believed to have been built over a temple to Minerva, is cited as an alternative site.
Due to its high quality, it was regarded as a copy of a statue by Phidias until well into the 19th century and was one of the stucco casts representing the great European sculptures that formed part of the German pavilion at the 1904 World Exhibition in St Louis.
The statue owes its name to the fact that it was in the collection of Vincenzo Giustiniani in Palazzo Giustiniani. Towards the end of the 18th century, it was particularly admired by English visitors: A Giustiniani curator told Goethe that the restored hand was whiter than the rest of the work because the English had kissed it so often.
The Minerva Giustiniani escaped the fate of the rest of the Giustiniani collection, which was taken to Paris in 1807 during the Napoleonic occupation, where it was partially scattered to the four winds. In 1815, what was left of it, in particular around 170 paintings, was acquired by Frederick William III of Prussia and brought to Berlin, where it forms part of the Royal Museum.
The Minerva, on the other hand, was purchased by Lucien Bonaparte in 1805 and placed in the great hall of his Roman residence, Palazzo Nunez. In 1817, he sold it to Pope Pius VII When the New Wing of the Chiaramonti Museum opened in 1822, the sculpture was placed there as it still stands today.
You can choose from three options for purchasing the Pallas Athena Giustiniani statue in our online shop: as a bronze or marble replica sculpture in museum quality or as a replica by a sculptor.
Antique statue, cast bronze in museum quality The sculpture is produced as a bronze casting using the traditional lost wax technique. The negative mould required for this is based on a plaster cast of the original in the Museo Ciaramonti – Vatican Museums.
In addition to classic bronze casting, we also offer two other moulds for the statues shown here. Marble casting from powdered genuine white marble. And the new moulding of the statue by sculptors from a single block of white marble. If you are interested in such a mould, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to receiving your e-mail or phone call.
We offer two exceptional patina options for bronze statues. The first is the classical patina, which beautifully captures the natural weathered appearance of bronze. Since the rediscovery of ancient life-sized bronzes, this patina has become the preferred choice and is available in up to three popular variations.
For enthusiasts seeking an authentic, antique aesthetic, we present a groundbreaking innovation: a faithfully recreated surface finish that matches precisely what the ancient audience would have admired. Thanks to the spectacular research findings published by the Louvre Museum in late 2022, we are now able to replicate the surface of ancient life-sized bronzes with remarkable accuracy. The multi-year study of the Charioteer of Delphi, conducted using cutting-edge technology, revealed that the statue, aside from minor details such as the eyes, headband, and belt, once displayed a high-gloss, golden sheen reminiscent of subtly shimmering gold leaf. It is therefore highly likely that renowned ancient sites, such as Delphi, Olympia, and Delos, presented themselves to ancient visitors with bronze statues gleaming in golden splendour.
This effect was achieved through the use of bronze with a 10% tin content. Armed with this scientifically substantiated knowledge, we can now offer an authentically recreated, antique surface for our reproductions of ancient life-sized bronzes – a level of precision that was unattainable prior to these 2022 research advancements.
Every statue purchased from us is engraved in the base with a serial number, date of manufacture and our company logo. The base is also engraved with your name, lettering, the occasion of manufacture, your own company logo or additional engraving as required.
Our life-size cast bronze replicas are therefore not only artistic replicas, but also timeless reminders that will preserve your legacy for generations to come. By engraving your name, the date and the occasion on the base, this statue becomes an everlasting symbol of your most personal life achievement, your significance in this world and your work there.
Ancient Greek bronze statues and their masterfully crafted Roman marble replicas were the sensual and visual mirror of these two advanced civilisations for over a millennium. After their rediscovery during the Renaissance, these statues once again became world-famous and symbolised the emergence of modernity.
The statue made for you and with your name as the donor will also be completely in the antique style. Traditions of Delphi and Rome to remember your personality and achievements forever.
In exceptionally designed gardens and parks, alongside high horticultural artistry and exceptionally beautiful design, the use of top-notch furnishings often shines. Whether it’s furniture or statues and sculptures. Now original antique statues are not or very rarely available for sale. Since their rediscovery in the Renaissance, costly replicas have such been made for castles, their parks, and concurrently for the mansions of the bourgeoisie who have attained great wealth. During this time, a canon for the placement and positioning of these artworks formed and developed into modern times. In our online shop, you’ll find an overview of particularly beautiful locations for ancient statues. Additionally, we provide you with an overview of some publicly accessible gardens and parks, each boasting an impressive collection of ancient sculptures, along with specific details on where each statue can be seen.
Item No. | S45 |
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Material | Bronze cast |
dimension (height x width x depth) | 219 cm x 93 cm x 65 cm |
What you receive | Single piece, Bronze cast. The exact design details, measurements and weight as well as the structure and colour of the Bronze cast may vary. |
Delivery | Delivered using our own van |
Delivery Charge | Free delivery in England and Wales (except islands) and to a few EU countries. Click here for details. |
Price incl. VAT | £57,400.00 |