Apollo or athlete at The British Museum, London

myminifactory

This marble statue of Apollo or a renowned athlete hails from Rome, crafted in the 1st Century AD after a Greek original created between 470-460 BC. Standing tall with unwavering confidence, this statue might portray either a victorious boxer or the god Apollo. The chest is powerfully muscular and the prominent veins in the shoulders and upper arms are a testament to the physique of a skilled boxer. He appears as if he has just emerged victorious from a match. A victor's ribbon or possibly a boxer's leather thong (bound around the fist and forearm to form a glove) hangs down like a tree trunk. The numerous marble versions of this statue that have survived demonstrate how highly revered this type was in the ancient world, inspired by some famous bronze original now lost forever. We may never know the true identity of the figure depicted. Apollo, the god of boxing, is typically shown with long hair at this time period, though braiding like this was a popular style among athletes around 480-460 BC. This object is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, aimed at creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort, where we invite you to contribute interesting items from around you. If you're interested in participating, please email stw@myminifactory.com to learn more about how you can help.