Cigarette Card

Wills’s Cigarettes “Wonders of the Past” Cigarette Card #39 “Statue of Zeus at Olympia”

Produced in 1926 by W. D. & H. O. Wills.

Issued by The Imperial Tobacco Company (of Great Britain & Ireland) Ltd.

Text on reverse of card reads:

“Although considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, no representations except on coins remain to us of this masterpiece, regarded by the ancients as the most sublime representation of divine majesty The reconstruction is based on an ancient description. Olympia, sacred to the chief god Zeus, was the site of the great Greek religious games. In the fifth century before Christ a magnificent temple was built, and Pheidias invited from Athens to carve the statue. The core was of wood, with gold laid on for drapery and Races of ivory for the flesh. A winged victory stood on Zeus’ hand, and his throne was brilliantly painted.”