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Old 27th February 2012, 11:29 PM   #17
eftihis
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Chania Crete Greece
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While the style of engraving is definetely looking like Greek works of the same era, i do not think this is Greek.
The reason is the female figure depicted.
This figure is supposed to represent godess AThena, so even in its naif form of represantation it needs to have a helmet and a shiled together with the spear. (See other examples below). Also is not likely to be depicted breast naked, although in one of the photos (on the musket) looks naked in a less obvious way.
This figure looks more like a tribal female warrior from some African tribe!
I find it hard to believe that a silver artist as well as his client were so iliterate to accept such a representation, especially in 1870s, where Greece was almost 50 years free, and schooling and education gave a more clear picture about ancient Greece.
My thinking is that is made by a non-Greek Balkan artist, who has seen a work with godess AThena depicted, and copied the style and the godess in a very vague way, without knowing the meaning and the symbolism of the figure.
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