Plastercasts.org

Project Description:

The Ashmolean Museum's collection of plaster casts is one of the oldest and best preserved in Britain. Its history begins almost two hundred years ago, when plaster casts of ancient Greek and Roman statues could be found in several parts of the University. They served to decorate rooms, especially libraries, and to proclaim the Glory of Greece and the prestige of Oxonians who had made the Grand Tour to the Mediterranean. The database contains information about the casts on display in the Ashmolean Museum's Cast Gallery. The casts were taken from Greek and Roman sculptures dating from the 7th century BC to the 2nd century AD. It includes casts in the following categories: Gods and goddesses; Heros and myth; Daily life; Portraits; Temples and monuments. The catalogue is arranged by year of acquisition.