Chatsworth Apollo Head, Bronze

<p>The god Apollo was the son of Zeus and Leto, and the brother of Artemis. He was the god of music and poetry, and was also closely associated with the sun. The centre for his worship was based at Delphi, where he was supposed to have slain Python, the dragon who guarded the oracle there. Apollo subsequently undertook the protection of the oracle himself and occasionally passed on the skill of divination to others. His amorous liasons with both nymphs and with mortal women were numerous, as were the offspring of these encounters. He is credited with being the father of, among others, Orpheus, Asclepius (the god of medicine), Troilus and Pythagoras. <br /> <br /> This replica has been moulded from a bronze head once owned by the Dukes of Devonshire. Originally part of a full-length statue, it was found at Tamassos on Cyprus, and dates from around 470-460 BC. It is one of the few pieces of bronze sculpture to have survived from this period so it is of great importance.</p>

Exclusive to the British Museum, a bronze replica of the Chatsworth head of Apollo.

Made in the UK, this extraordinary bronze has been moulded from the original head once owned by the Duke of Devonshire, which was preserved in a collection at Chatsworth House, giving the head its modern name. Originally part of a full-length statue, the head was found at Tamassos in Cyprus in 1836, and dates to 470-460 BC. It is one of the few pieces of bronze sculpture to have survived from this period, and is of great historical importance.

The ancient Greek god Apollo was the son of Zeus and Leto, and the twin brother of Artemis. He was the god of music and poetry, and was also closely associated with the sun. The centre for his worship was based at Delphi, where Apollo undertook the protection of the oracle, and occasionally passed the skill of divination to others.

An astonishing ornament celebrating an unknown yet masterful ancient sculptor.