Bronze statuette of Athena flying her owl

Unknown

ca. 460 BCE · Bronze · Greek and Roman Art

Owls of a type that can still be seen flitting about the Akropolis of Athens were associated with Athena, whose sanctuary was on top of that high rocky plateau. For centuries, the principle coinage of Athens showed the head of Athena on one side and an owl on the other. Here the goddess stands relaxed, ready to let the bird fly.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 460 BCE

Medium

Bronze

Culture

Greek

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1950