The Lady of Elche

Finding

Brief History

The Crusade

Description

Found by chance on La Alcudia, a nearby archaeological site in 1897, the Lady of Elche is a well-known polychrome stone Iberian art believed to be produced in the fourth century B.C. although some scholars and others date it to the Hellenistic or Roman periods.

It represents the bust of a woman with a very complex headdress and big coils on each side of the face. Who she might have been also remains a mystery--perhaps a goddess or an Iberian princess. On the back it has a hole, possibly for the deposit of the ashes of the deceased. It could be therefore be an example of a cinerary urn typical of Iberian funerary rituals.

Nevertheless some scientists debate the correct date for the original work and even its veracity.

Finding

The Lady of Elche was found in l'Alcudia the 4^th August 1897 at 11:15 hours by a young worker Manuel Campello Esclapez.. In the photo (4^th-Aug-1960) we can see Alejandro Ramos Folques (illicitan archeolog), Manuel Campello Esclapez (founder of Lady of Elche), and Manuel Martinez Macia (founder of Orden de la Dama de Elche and enthusiast promoter of the sculpture).

Brief History

Pierre Paris, French archeolog, bought the sculpture the 18^th August 1897 to Dr. Campello for FF 4.000 (around 5.000 pts equivalent rate) and took it from Alicante harbor to France the 30^th August 1897 with scales in Barcelona and Marseille.

First shown at Musee du Louvre (Paris) In was there rebaptised from Elche's given previous name "Reina Mora" to "Dama de Elche" (Lady of Elche). In 1939 during II World War it was moved by security reasons to Montaudau Castle near Toulouse (South France) since this region was not occupied by German troops.

Negotiations for the return of the sculpture were undertaken by franquiste government and President Petain's government during 1940 and 1941.

The 8^th February 1941 at 9:05 in the morning the sculpture crosses Portbou's custom.

The 27^th June 1941 the sculpture was placed in Museo del Prado (Madrid). Afterwards it was moved to its present placement "Madrid's National Archeological Museum".

In 1948 the Spanish Central Bank used the Iberian sculture to illustrate the first 1Pts Bank Note.

The Crusade

Due to centralism measures this piece of Iberian art is exposed in Madrid's Museo Arqueologico Nacional.

The promoter of "The Crussade for La Dama" claming for the return of the sculture in Museo Arqueologico Nacional - February 1996

At present only excellent copies can be admired in town, the best of which is at the entrance hall of the City's Archeological Museum (Palace of Altamira).

The Lady Of Elche in Elche

If you think (as I do) that the sculpture of the Lady of Elche should be exposed in Elche, its hometown please complete this form stating your name, e-mail address, DNI in order to present a list of signatures to competent authorities.

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