Η προσπάθεια μας δεν θα είχε ολοκληρωθεί αν δεν είχαμε σχεδιάσει και μια "γωνιά" για τα παιδιά! Έτσι λοιπόν εδώ στο MuseumMasters.gr ή καλλύτερα στο "MuMa" - πιο εύκολο να το προφέρουν τα παιδιά - αυτοσχεδιάζουμε και προσπαθούμε να δημιουργούμε αντικείμενα που έχουν πηγή έμπνευσης την αρχαία Ελλάδα την τέχνη και τον πολιτισμό μας με σκοπό να καταφέρουμε να δημιουργήσουμε μια διαφορετική πρόταση για τις μαμάδες αλλά και τους μικρούς μας φίλους!

Σε αυτή την "γωνία", θα δείτε χειροποίητα αντικείμενα από καθαρό ασήμι 999°, κυρίως γιατί είναι ένα ασφαλές μέταλλο, για την περίπτωση που κάποιο μωρό θέλει πέρα από το να παίξει... να το "δοκιμάσει" κι όλας!  Πάντα θέλουμε να προσφέρουμε σε ένα νεογέννητο ένα δώρο αξίας και είναι και στα έθιμά μας να "ασημώνουμε" κάθε καινούργιο πόσο μάλλον ένα μωρό!

Οι προτάσεις μας βέβαια θα συμπεριλάβουν και άλλα υλικά όπως για παράδειγμα τα πήλινα παιχνίδια, που ήδη βλέπετε σε αυτή την κατηγορία, μοναδικές χειροποίητες δημιουργίες της αγαπημένης μαμάς Μυρτώς Πολιτάκη από την Κρήτη, η οποία δουλεύει αφού βάλει τα μωρά της για ύπνο!

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The marble figures usually called "idols" or "figurines are the best-known shapes of the Cycladic Art that flourished during the early Bronze Age in the Aegean. The “Cycladic figurines” evolved in the Cyclades, in the period between 3200 and 2200 BC and continued to be produced until 2000 BC.

The marble figurines vary in sizes and style. The most common are the figures with the folded arms, known as the “canonical” type figurines, which usually represent nude female figures with the arms folded above the abdomen.

The figurines have lyre-shaped heads with wide foreheads, angular shoulders and incisions indicating the arms, the pubic triangle and the joints. They often seem to be lying down and to be in the state of pregnancy.  

The nose is the only feature that is strongly indicated at the heads of the “folded-arm” figurines, while other parts, like the ears are often engraved or embossed.

However, pigments were used to denote facial features, such as the eyes and the hair, while it is speculated that some idols might have been decorated with silver jewelry.

The meaning and function of the figurines is most likely connected to the religious beliefs of the prehistoric Aegean civilizations. It is assumed that they are representative of the "Mother goddess", a symbol of fertility and rebirth. They have been variously interpreted as idols of the gods, images of death, children's dolls, and other things.

Museum Masters celebrates Christmas and welcomes the New Year with our impressive charm, which can be used as a bookmark, “spreading” messages of joy and rebirth for the New Year.

Explore our collection, buy unique “timeless” gifts and take a piece of ancient Greek history with you! Make your purchases for your business and personal gifts online and get your order sent directly to your home or your office.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2016!

In the northern part of the Aegean Sea, between Samothrace, Mount Athos, Imvros and Lesvos, the volcanic island of Lemnos (Limnos) is located. The prehistory of the island is clearly revealed  through the archaeological sites and the island’s museums, such as the Maritime and Sponge Museum in Nea Koutali, as well as by its historic towns, Hephaestia and the ancient capital of Lemnos, Myrina, which was named after the wife of the first king of the island, Thoas.

The island is a historical and mystic destination, since the island’s history is linked with myths and epic tales.

According to Greek mythology, the Argonauts on their journey to Colchis arrived to Lemnos. During their stay on the island, Queen Hypsipyle organized five athletic contests, thus creating the Pentathlon.

The five events of the pentathlon (discus, javelin throw, long jump, stadion race, wrestling) were probably invented by Jason, the leader of the Argonauts. Telamon excelled in the discus, Lynkeus in the javelin throw, and the two sons of Boreas, Zetes and Calaïs at running and jumping. Finally, Peleus, father of Achilles, came out same second in all these sports, but could beat everyone at wrestling.

Then Jason in order to award Peleus for his athletic performance and martial prowess, combined the five events and proclaimed him the first winner of Pentathlon. Later on, the event first appeared on the Olympic Programme at the 18^th Ancient Olympiad in 708 BC and was one of the main sports of the ancient Olympic Games.

In the modern Olympics, the Decathlon and the Pentathlon for men  were introduced at the 5^th Olympiad in Stockholm in 1912  and it included the events of long jump, javelin throw, discus and two running races (200 and 1500 meters). The Pentathlon continued to be a part of the Olympics until 1924, while the Decathlon is still a part of the Olympic Games.

In the 1906 Olympic Games in Athens, which became known as 1906 Intercalated Games, the five-event sport (Greek Pentathlon) was included in the Athletics program. Although, it was never included at the actual Olympics, the “Greek Pentathlon” was inspired by the ancient event and its events were jumping, discus, javelin throw, 192 meters sprint race, which is equivalent to the ancient Stadium Race and Greco-Roman wrestling.

The first female combined event was the Pentathlon, which was held for the first time at the Summer Olympics at Tokyo in 1964. The track-and-field athletes were competing in long jump, but also in shot put, 200-meter sprint race and 80 metres hurdles (it became 100 metres since 1972). Since 1984, the event was replaced by the heptathlon.

Lemnos has been claiming the origin of the Pentathlon and the local entities have collaborated with the PHILIPPAKIS ART workshops, so as to create keepsakes of the sport. These actions aim to inform the local community on the history of the sport, but also to promote the island as an archaeotourism destination, since the tourist attractions of the island are directly related to the cultural heritage of our country.

In Museum Masters and PHILIPPAKIS ART workshops we always support such great efforts and we are contributing at the promotion of our country and its ancient history through our extended list of products.

We supported the gymnasium of Livadochori, in their initiative to revive this ancient institution, in the context of a programme of cultular school activities and cross-cultural exchanges, entitled "The Pentathlon in Lemnos”, supported by the consular delegation of Italy in Lemnos. The two-day gala included athletic events of the Ancient Pentathlon, in relation to the 4th Student Festival of Lemnos, where pupils from Lemnos and Russia participated, as well as an opening and a medals ceremony.

Like a modern Hephaustus, in our workshops we constructed the medals of the event in bronze, silver-plated and gold-plated brass, continuing the ancient art of metallurgy and inspired by the ideals of Olympism and of sportsmanship.

The facilitators of the gala attended the medals ceremony. Among them were: Ms Charitini Fotopoulou, Headmistress of the gymnasium, the teachers Ms Ourania Chalikiwtou and Mr Nick Mpachtsebanos, Mr Thomas Sfounis, who was in charge of the artistic editing of the events, the President of the Red Cross and initiator of the event, Mr.Theodoros Mpaveas, the consular representative of Italy in Lemnos Mr. Kostas Doras,and Mr. Nick Karydis, organizer of the Athletic Department.

A few words about the island...

A place of gods and heroes, Lemnos is considered the island of Hephaestus, God of fire and metallurgy. According to legend, Zeus in a dispute with Hera hurled Hephaestus headlong out of Olympus. He fell at the island of Lemnos, but from the fall, he broke his leg. There, he was cared for by the Sinties, according to Homer. In return, the god taught them the art of metallurgy, setting up his workshop in a volcano called Moschilos.

In honor of Hephaestus, the ancient Greeks named the chief town of the island Hephaestia and they did sacred initiatory rites dedicated to a tribe called Kaberoi. It is said that Kaberoi were the sons of Hephaestus and nymph Cabiro.

Other stories from epic tales, associate the women from Lemnos with the Amazons. During the reign of Thoas, the women in the island neglected the worship of Aphrodite, so the goddess cursed them with stench. In result, all the women were deserted by their husbands for Thracian women, and in revenge they murdered every man on the island. From this barbarous act, the expression Lemnian deeds became proverbial among the Hellenes. After that, the island was ruled by Hypsipyle, daughter of the old king Thoas. Later on, from the Argonauts and the Lemnian women a new race was descended.

The "treasures" of Lemnian land...

Golden sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, impressive sand hills, traditional villages and archaeological sites comprise a blessed land with great production of local goods, such as dairy products, mainly cheese (“melichloro”, “kaskavali”, “kalathaki”), honey and cereals as well as a wide variety of white and red wines, with special taste because of the volcanic soil.

Finally, every visitor should try the venizelika, local sweets that were inspired by local housewives, in order to offer them to the then Prime Minister of Greece, Mr Eleftherios Venizelos, when he visited Lemnos after her release in 1912.

Useful links:

MUNICIPALITY OF LIMNOS www.limnos.gov.gr

VISIT GREECE www.visitgreece.gr

One day the father of the gods, Zeus, came up with  the idea  to find the centre of the Earth. He sent two eagles to fly from the two extremities of the world: the East and the West. The birds crossed each other above the location of Delphi and Zeus declared this area “Navel of the Earth”. The centre of the world nestled in a slope of Mount Parnassus and the sacred Castalian spring spurred its crystal waters nearby. Apollo, son of Zeus, chose this place to become his sanctuary. But, he had to kill a gigantic serpent, Python, which lived in the area and guarded the ancient altar of Mother – Earth. After he slew the huge snake, Apollo transformed into a dolphin and summoned some Cretan sailors to his favourite precinct in order to set up a sanctuary and an oracle dedicated to him and  become his faithful priests.

The earliest discoveries in the archaeological site of Delphi date back in the Neolithic Period (4.000 B.C.). Relics of an ancient sacred precinct, maybe in honor of Godess Earth (Gaia), came to light in a nearby cave, named Korykion. Evidence of Mycenaean habitation was discovered in the place where, later, Apollo's temple was constructed. Archaeologists estimate that the sanctuary and the oracle were officially established during the 8^th century B.C. and flourished continuously through the ages since then. 

Delphi was the perfect place to set up an oracle due to a crevice on a rock nearby that emitted chemical vapors and made everyone who approached dizzy and dazed. Pythia, the Delphic Sibyl, used the vapors from the cleft and the fumes of burned herbs to fall into a trance and to make her predictions. She murmured or crowed inarticulate words and phrases that the priests of the oracle “deciphered” and composed lyrical prophecies for the person concerned. The Delphic Oracle became well-known due to the accuracy of its predictions not only among the greek cities but also among foreign kings and generals.

In the centre of the archaeological site of Delphi stands the impressive Apollo's Temple of doric architecture. It hosted the Delphic Oracle and a marvellous, golden statue of Apollo. A wide stone path stretched from the temple's entrance to the main gate of the sanctuary. On both sides of this road stood statues and other offerings to god Apollo, as well as, the Treasuries. The Treasuries were small buildings made generally of marble that held the luscious gifts of every city which visited the oracle to get an advice. The most impressive of them are the Athenian Treasury and the Siphnian one. Above the Temple and the Treasuries, the most well-preserved ancient theatre stands pridly. During its prime it held all the Delphic festivities such as the Pythian Games, which were considered to be the second most important festival after the Olympic Games. This festival hosted poetry and music competitions as well as sports activities to worship Apollo and its victory against Python. The athletic games took place at the Delphic Stadium which was located northwest of the theatre and the other buldings of the sanctuary and could seat about 7.000 spectators.

All the above cover only a small amount of the imposing temples and buildings that one can find in the sacred location of Delphi, the holy insinct of Apollo that became the “navel” of divination, art and light. 

An ancient tomb ful of coins and pieces of gold was found on a municipal property, at Nea Zichni of Serres. The tomb was discovered during digging works of the municipal authorities for the construction of an open air theatre. The mayor of Nea Zichni, mentioned to the Athens News Agency-Macedonian Press Agency, that there are many tombs in the area. The grave goods were delivered at the Ephorate of Antiquities of Serres.

Coins of Alexander the Great from the 3rd and 2nd century BC were found during the excavation of the Amphipolis tomb. Many ancient Macedonian coins have ended up abroad and they are being offered for sale in auctions. Recently, German auction house Gorny & Moschtha announced that it is putting up for auctionancient Greek coinsdating from the Alexander the Great's and Philip's IIera, found at Amphipolis.

The gold stater of Philip II (8,59 g), circa 340-328 BC. It depicts the laureate head of Apollo, facing right. The reverse side of the coin depicts a charioteer, wearing a himation and holding and the reins, driving a two-horse chariot. It also bears the inscription Philippou (Φιλίππου). Macedonian coins are kept at the Numismatic Museum in Athens.

In 437 B.C. the Athenians found a colony in the area of Strymonas river, near Serres, under the name of Amphipolis, in order to control and exploit the goldmines of Pagaion mountain nearby, where they mined valuable gold. In 424 B.C, during the Peloponnesian War, the Spartans and their general, Vrasidas, arrived in the area to reinforce their presence in Chalkidiki. Vrasidas managed, in 422 B.C, to occupy the important and wealthy city of Amphipolis. During the Battle of Amphipolis, Vrasidas and six more Spartans were killed, but Athenians, under the commands of general Kleon, lost the battle and 600 soldiers. This battle rendered to the completion of the first part of the Peloponnesian War and the contract of Nikiios Peace Treaty, in 421 B.C.

Amphipolis was later occupied by the Macedonian king Philip the Second and became a centre of high importance in the Macedonian Empire. There, in 311 B.C, Kassandros incarcerated and murdered Roxane and her son Alexander the Forth.

Nowadays, Amphipolis became known due to the revelation of a very important tomb. Kasta Tomb (that's the modern name of the tumulus hill) was first excavated by archaeologist Dimitrios Lazarides in the 50's. He discovered near the surface of the hill a number of graves that date back to the Iron Age, as well as the marble base of the famous statue: "Lion of Amphipolis" . Parts of this huge statue were found by soldiers in 1913 and 1916, while the rest of the lion was discovered in 1937 during constructive works in the area. This statue is considered to be sculpted in the 4th century B.C. and it is believed that its original position was on the top of the newly discovered Amphipolis Tomb.

The excavations in this position of the hill continued in 2012 by archaeologist E. Peristeri and focused on the surrounding wall of the tomb. The excavations extended and brought to light the entrance and the interior of the tomb. The tomb was found to consist of three arched, marble chambers. Above the entrance portal two Sphinxes were discovered, while before the portal of the second chamber stood two exceptional Caryatids. The floor of the second chamber was covered with an astonishing pictorial mosaic that depicts "The abduction of Persephone". The floor of the third chamber, now, was made of stones that covered a vault where a huge, marble coffin was discovered and the skeletal remains of the dead were located. According to the archaeologists, the tomb is dated between 325 and 300 B.C and might be work of Dinocrates, the architect of Artemis Temple in Ephesus and the designer of Alexandria. Whatever this amazing  tomb unravels in the near future, the historical importance of the findings is high and will shed some light on the intense years of Alexander the Great.

We start the new year, at Museum Masters, feeling fresh and full of ideas for our e-shop and the time has come to accomplish one of our goals on our new year's resolutions list.

We've been working hard, since the start of the year, to bring to you a new category on our e-shop, dedicated to our younger friends, the Kids Corner. Our new category is almost ready and it already includes an exclusive selection of products, such as t-shirts, boxes, toys, figurines, baby rattles and statuettes, inspired by antiquity. We're excited to receive your feedback.

Follow us on Pinterest, Facebook,Twitter, Youtube and Google+ for our latest updates and stay tuned to our blog for all the action, as it happens. 

The peak of athleticism and sportsmanship could be no other than the verdant Olympia. A harmonious and sunbathed region which could be the one that could inspire such kind of ideals. The Olympic Games were established in an ever green valley surrounded by two rivers, Alfeios and Kladeos. The sacred hill of Saturn was standing inside the sanctuary of Olympia. Saturn, father of Zeus, was already being honored there from the Neolithic era. In the centre of Olympia,there was a radiant for estnamed “Altis”which enclosed the most imperative edifices of the sanctuary, the templesand the athletes' offerings in honor of the gods. There stood the sacred olive tree, the silver leaves of which were adorning the heads of the winners.

The Olympic Games were held every 4 years and the first recorded took place in 776 B.C., whereas the archaeological findings indicate that before 776 B.C the games were already a well-established event. The period of 4 years between the Olympiads was called “penthetiris”. During this interval, local noblemen from Olympia and other nearby cities, named “spondofori”, visited all the greek cities and imposed the “Olympian Truce”. The truce lasted 3 months and during this period of time every war or dispute was suspended so as the athletes could freely participate in the festive event. The first and only sport of the Olympic Games was the “'stadium”; a 192 metre race equal to the length of the Olympic stadium. Gradually, the sports multiplied and “diavlos” (400m race), “dolihos” (4.800m race), “pentathlon”, “wrestling”, “pugilism”, “pankration”, “chariot races” and “horseracing” were added in the sports' programme. The Olympic Games became popular amongst the greek cities and all the greek athletes arrived in Olympia to compete and to win the most glorious competition of the antiquity. The spectators were not less than the athletes. Crowds of people congregated at the sanctuary of Olympia not only to celebrate the youth but also to meet magnates of that time: famous statesmen, orators, generals, artists, who, also, visited Olympia. 

 The games lasted 5 days. In the first day of the event, the organizing comitee gathered the athletes and the visitors in the altar of Zeus in“Altis” to honour the protector of Olympia, Zeus. They made sacrifices and offered religious artefacts both to the altar and the temple of Zeus nearby. This temple was a real jewel of architecture and the most impressive sample of doric style. It was constructed in 470 B.C. by Libon, a local architect. But the most exciting thing about this temple was the statue inside. The temple housed one of the seven wonders of the ancient world: the ivory and gold statue of Zeus. This 13m high oeuvre of Pheidias had a wooden understructure that was covered with gold and ivory panels. A trough rounded the base of the statue where olive oil was poured in order to reflect the golden pieces of the statue and make it even more impressive. Unfortunately, the fury of the byzantine emperor Theodosius A' destroyed this magnificent artwork as well as the whole sanctuary of Olympia. In 393 A.D. the last Olympic Games are held and shortly afterwards Theodosius A' declared the suspension of the Games as they were considered pagan and idolatrous acts. 1.503 years will be needed until the French baron, Pierre de Coubertin, would revive the ideals and the glory of the Olympic Games and would bring together all the athletes of the world.

As we head into the new year, we couldn't help, but to look back to this great year and realize how truly grateful and proud we are. We wanted to take a quick moment to say "thank you"  for all of your support and the encouragement that you have sent our way this past year.

It has been a huge pleasure running this e-shop in 2014! From the first days of the year until these last moments, it has been a pleasant "journey" for everyone involved here at Museum Masters.

We've had a fantastic year watching our creations and collections "expand" and our fans and friends become more and more. Our popularity "grow" and it is all happened thanks to everyone, who have taken time to follow along and to share their thoughts about our creations, through your purchases and social media (Pinterest, Facebook,Twitter, Youtube). We have appreciated all of your ideas, comments, replies, opinions and we hope that we've done an good job in creating your personalized and corporate gifts.

We look forward to keep up the good work in the New Year and to share with you all our new creations and news. 

Best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year. 

As we head into the new year, Museum Masters, is excited to share with you our "lucky" charm, which according to tradition is offered  for good luck. The "Ancient Wine Jug", our charm for the year 2015, aims to "unite" the ancient Greek tradition with our everyday life, and has many elements from Ancient Greece and a toast for peace for the upcoming new year.

This characteristic beak-spouted jug is a fine example of the Prepalatial Minoan civilization and it is combined with the saying of the ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus "The world of ours is a single city",  in order to "fill" our hearts with this message of peace, hope and unity for 2015.

Chic, modern but also a traditional gift, the "wine jug" was originally created as a new pendant for our jewelry collection, but its unique message gave a new "twist" to its creation! We placed the number 15 in pure silver or gold plated silver on the back side of the jug, to welcome the new year. It is made of gold-plated bronze and can either be offered as a lucky charm, a pendant or a key-ring. Offer it as a gift to your loved ones to wish them a Happy New Year!