A 19th Century Gilt Brass Figure of Minerva

A rare nineteenth century gilt brass figure of the Goddess Minerva, set upon a perspex plinth

Minerva is the Roman goddess of wisdom and sponsor of the arts, trade, and strategy. She was born from the godhead of Jupiter with weapons. From the 2nd century BC onwards, the Romans equated her with the Greek goddess Athena. She was the virgin goddess of music, poetry, medicine, wisdom, commerce, crafts, magic and weaving.

Minerva is perhaps best known for her encounter with the woman Arachne who wove a beautiful picture. Minerva looked to find fault with this and in failing to do so, transformed Arachne into a spider. She is often depicted with her sacred owl, usually named as the ‘owl of Minerva’, a bird still considered a symbol of wisdom.