3-047-547 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Throne, 300-200 BC. Ceremonial Chair (The Elgin Throne). Additional Info: Known as the Elgin Throne, this rare surviving example of Greek marble furniture was once in the collection of Lord Elgin at Broomhall House in Scotland. Lion legs flank the front of the throne; above these are double volutes forming the armrests. A broad horizontal band in relief runs from leg to leg around the back of the chair; this serves as the ground line for scenes carved on both sides. On the left side, in flat relief, is a depiction of Theseus, nude and with shield and helmet, killing the queen of the Amazons. He stands above the fallen queen about to strike a blow as she covers her head. The scene on the right side is a depiction of two nude swordsmen about to attack. They are the tyrannicides ("tyrant slayers") Harmodios and Aristogeiton, two Athenian aristocrats who tried to kill the despotic ruler of Athens in 514 BC. A partial inscription running along the upper edge of the back names Boethos. The throne may originally have been placed in a public space in Athens, where it would have served as a seat of honor.