The statue of Zeus of Soluntum (Greek Soloeis), one of the most important examples of ancient Greek art, is again on display at the Archaeological Museum Antonio Salinas in Palermo after careful restoration.
The Zeus of Soluntum was found near another statue of a female figure in a sacred building of the archaeological area of Soluntum, one of the principal Phoenician settlements in Sicily along with Panormus and Motya.
[Credit: Iole Carollo]
The body of Zeus’statue, sitting on a throne decorated with reliefs depicting Ares crowned by Nike, Aphrodite, Eros and the Graces, is carved in local stone while the head is made of white marble.
[Credit: WikiCommons]
The sculpture was found in pieces during the excavation that brought to light the ancient Phoenician (7th cent. BC) settlement of Soluntum, near Palermo in 1825 and was subsequently restored by the sculptor Valerio Villareale.
The restored statue was presented on November 30 in a conference at the Archaeological Museum Antonio Salinas.
Source: ANSA [December 02, 2016]