Objects and Stories

What is it?

The object is a statue of the goddess, Persephone. Although a Greek Goddess, the Romans worshipped Persephone as well. Persephone is the goddess of the underworld in Greek mythology. She is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, goddess of the harvest.

What is it made of?

The statue is made of marble.

When was it made?

1st Century BC.

Where is it from?

The statue is from Lanuvium, near Rome in Italy. (Check out the map link below for a better idea!)

How did it get to Leeds?

Lord Saville was the British Ambassador to Rome and his estate was in Yorkshire.

Lord Saville ran a number of excavations and this statue was found during a dig in Lanuvium in 1880. The statue was probably associated with a temple site.  Statues depicting the gods were often used as displaying public art.

Saville divided the objects he found between the British Museum and Leeds Museums.