Nike unbinding her sandal
Relief slab from the balustrade of the Ionic Temple of Athena Nike. Around three of the temple’s sides, offering protection from a vertical drop, was a parapet decorated with reliefs.
The sculptural decoration was on the outside of the parapet. This means that it was not possible to get a close view of the reliefs, and also the sculptures would be one of the first things a visitor to the Acropolis would see.
Here a winged Nike is shown gracefully removing her shoes before entering the temple
Athens Acropolis Museum 973
Purchased prior to 1884 by the Fitzwilliam Museum. Transferred to the Museum in 1884
Lippold: Griechische Plastik, 194
Walston: Catalogue of Casts in the Museum of Classical Archaeology (1889), 67, no.305
Rhys Carpenter: Sculpture on the Nike Parapet, 63-
Casson: Catalogue of the Acropolis Museum Athens II, 157, no.12
Hurwit: The Athenian Acropolis (1999), 213
From in front of the Temple of Athena Nike on the Acropolis, Athens