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The Berkeley Plato : From Neglected Relic to Ancient Treasure, An Archaeological Detective Story

By: Miller, Stephen GMaterial type: TextTextSeries: eBooks on DemandPublisher: Berkeley : University of California Press, 2009Edition: 1Description: 1 online resource (169 p.)ISBN: 9780520943599Subject(s): Classical antiquities --Conservation and restoration --California --Berkeley --History --20th century | Hermae | Inscriptions, Greek | Phoebe Apperson Hearst Museum of Anthropology --History --20th century | Plato | Portrait sculpture, Classical --California --Berkeley | Portrait sculpture, Classical --Italy --TivoliGenre/Form: Electronic books.Additional physical formats: Print version:: The Berkeley Plato : From Neglected Relic to Ancient Treasure, An Archaeological Detective StoryDDC classification: 733.3 | 733/.3 LOC classification: N7587.P6M55 2009Online resources: Click here to view this ebook.
Contents:
Cover; Table of Contents; ILLUSTRATIONS; PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS; HISTORY OF ACQUISITION AND THE FIRST CENTURY IN CALIFORNIA; DESCRIPTION OF THE ARTIFACT; PERTINENCE OF THE HEAD; THE INSCRIPTION; THE SEVEN SAGES; THE TIVOLI PLATO; THE BERKELEY PLATO AND THE RENAISSANCE; PORTRAITS OF PLATO; RIBBONS; PLATO AND RIBBONS; WHY PLATO AND RIBBONS; CONCLUSION; APPENDIX A. THE SQUARE-OMICRON AND SQUARE-THETAPORTRAIT HERMS FROM TIVOLI; APPENDIX B. TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFICANALYSIS OF THE BERKELEY PLATO; BIBLIOGRAPHY; GENERAL INDEX; INDEX OF ANCIENT SOURCES; INDEX OF COLLECTIONS CITED; PLATE SECTION
Summary: This book explores the provenance of the so-called Berkeley Herm of Plato, a sculptural portrait that Stephen G. Miller first encountered over thirty years ago in a university storage basement. The head, languishing since its arrival in 1902, had become detached from the body, or herm, and had been labeled a fake. In 2002, while preparing another book, Miller-now an experienced archaeologist-needed an illustration of Plato, remembered this piece, and took another look. The marble, he recognized immediately, was from the Greek islands, the inscription appeared ancient, and the ribbons visible on the head were typical of those in Greek athletic scenes. The Berkeley Plato, rich in scientific, archaeological, and historical detail, tells the fascinating story of how Miller was able to authenticate this long-dismissed treasure. His conclusion, that it is an ancient Roman copy possibly dating from the time of Hadrian, is further supported by art conservation scientist John Twilley, whose essay appears as an appendix. Miller's discovery makes a significant contribution to the worlds of art history, philosophy, archaeology, and sports history and will serve as a starting point for new research in the back rooms of museums.
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Electronic Book UT Tyler Online
Online 		N7587.P6M55 2009 (Browse shelf) http://uttyler.eblib.com/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=470959 Available EBL470959
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N7574.5 .N45 Why Drawing Naked Women Is Good For The Soul N7575.F74 2010 Portraits and Persons. N7575.W47 2004 Portraiture. N7587.P6M55 2009 The Berkeley Plato : N7592 1947 The state portrait N7593 American Faces : N7593 .B57 2019 The portrait's subject :

Cover; Table of Contents; ILLUSTRATIONS; PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS; HISTORY OF ACQUISITION AND THE FIRST CENTURY IN CALIFORNIA; DESCRIPTION OF THE ARTIFACT; PERTINENCE OF THE HEAD; THE INSCRIPTION; THE SEVEN SAGES; THE TIVOLI PLATO; THE BERKELEY PLATO AND THE RENAISSANCE; PORTRAITS OF PLATO; RIBBONS; PLATO AND RIBBONS; WHY PLATO AND RIBBONS; CONCLUSION; APPENDIX A. THE SQUARE-OMICRON AND SQUARE-THETAPORTRAIT HERMS FROM TIVOLI; APPENDIX B. TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFICANALYSIS OF THE BERKELEY PLATO; BIBLIOGRAPHY; GENERAL INDEX; INDEX OF ANCIENT SOURCES; INDEX OF COLLECTIONS CITED; PLATE SECTION

This book explores the provenance of the so-called Berkeley Herm of Plato, a sculptural portrait that Stephen G. Miller first encountered over thirty years ago in a university storage basement. The head, languishing since its arrival in 1902, had become detached from the body, or herm, and had been labeled a fake. In 2002, while preparing another book, Miller-now an experienced archaeologist-needed an illustration of Plato, remembered this piece, and took another look. The marble, he recognized immediately, was from the Greek islands, the inscription appeared ancient, and the ribbons visible on the head were typical of those in Greek athletic scenes. The Berkeley Plato, rich in scientific, archaeological, and historical detail, tells the fascinating story of how Miller was able to authenticate this long-dismissed treasure. His conclusion, that it is an ancient Roman copy possibly dating from the time of Hadrian, is further supported by art conservation scientist John Twilley, whose essay appears as an appendix. Miller's discovery makes a significant contribution to the worlds of art history, philosophy, archaeology, and sports history and will serve as a starting point for new research in the back rooms of museums.

Description based upon print version of record.

Author notes provided by Syndetics

MillerStephen G.:

Stephen G. Miller is Professor Emeritus of Classical Archaeology at the University of California, Berkeley. He is the author of many books, including Arete: Greek Sports from the Ancient Sources, Third Edition (UC Press). John Twilley is an independent art conservation scientist.

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