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Silver statuette of Venus

1st–2nd century CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 168
The Roman goddess Venus was early assimilated to the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. Her cult remained very popular throughout the Roman period, and many votive bronze statuettes have survived. Examples in silver, however, are rare, and this is an unusually large one, modeled on Hellenistic prototypes. Venus holds an apple in her left hand, a reference to her victory in the legendary beauty contest with Juno (Hera) and Minerva (Athena) that was judged by Paris, son of King Priam of Troy.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Silver statuette of Venus
  • Period: Early or Mid Imperial
  • Date: 1st–2nd century CE
  • Culture: Roman
  • Medium: Silver
  • Dimensions: Overall: 6 7/8 x 2in. (17.5 x 5.1cm)
  • Classification: Gold and Silver
  • Credit Line: Gift of Christos G. Bastis, in honor of Philippe de Montebello, 1995
  • Object Number: 1995.539.14
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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