Iris - Elgin Marble at The British Museum, London

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This marble showcases Iris as a messenger. The Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles, comprise a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures (mainly by Phidias and his team), inscriptions, and architectural components that originally formed part of the Parthenon and other structures on the Acropolis of Athens. Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin, claimed to secure in 1811 a contentious permit 'not to remove statues but what he might discover through specific excavation' from the Ottoman household, which then ruled Greece. From 1801 to 1812, Elgin's agents extracted about half of the surviving Parthenon sculptures, along with architectural elements and sculpture from the Propylaea and Erechtheum. The Marbles were transported by sea to Britain. In Britain, the acquisition of the collection was backed by some individuals, while others likened Elgin's actions to vandalism or looting. Following a public debate in Parliament and subsequent exoneration of Elgin, the marbles were acquired by the British government in 1816 and transferred to the British Museum, where they currently stand on display in the purpose-built Duveen Gallery. The most recent model was scanned at the temporary exhibition "Rodin and the art of ancient Greece" at the British Museum. This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, which aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access free. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and want to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can assist.