A sculpted limestone model of the Samothrace Nike, 20th century, carved after the Antique, with wings outstretched and drapery billowing around, atop a cylindrical stone plinth, the figure 210cm high, the base 125cm high; the height overall 335cm The Winged Victory of Samothrace, discovered in 1863, is thought to have been created around 200-190 BC. The work is 2.44 metres (8 feet) in height and was commissioned to commemorate victory in a sea battle as well as in honour of the goddess. It is famed for the way in which it conveys a sense of action and triumph as well as portraying artful flowing drapery, the goddess being portrayed as descending to alight upon the prow of a warship Rendered in grey and white Thasian and Parian marble, the figure originally formed part of the Samothrace temple complex dedicated to the Great gods, Megaloi Theoi. It stood on a rostral pedestal of grey marble from Lartos representing the prow of a ship (most likely a trihemiolia), and represents the goddess as she descends from the skies to the triumphant fleet The Hellenistic original is currently held in the Louvre collection in Paris