Salus

first half of 2nd century A.D.

Medium

Bronze

Dimensions

16.5 cm

Status

In Museum Collection

Collect24 Art ID

C24-217890

Salus (Greek: Hygieia) was the daughter of Asclepius, the god of healing and medicine; her name in both Greek and Latin translates as health. Here, she holds one of her father's healing snakes coiled around her arm and wears many layers of garments. Over a thin chiton with button sleeves is a peplos, and over that, a himation. The goddess’s hair is swept back from her face and the top section is tied in a bowknot over her forehead. The rest is drawn loosely back and then confined by a wide band or abbreviated head-cloth. It emerges in a pony tail of curls high on the back of the head. Other locks escape in studied disorder at the neck. The statuette is probably a small-scale version of a Hellenistic statue, replicas of which are known in varying scales and media. The figure was probably made as a pair with another of her father [[96.AB.195.1](http://www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/29592/unknown-maker-asclepius-roman-first-half-of-2nd-century-ad/)]. Both would have served as votive offerings or objects of devotion in a household shrine.