Nasothek

The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek , Copenhagen

A nasotheque (from Latin : nasus " nose " and ancient Greek θήκη "container", analogous to a library ) is a storage place for the noses of portrait busts and statues .

Ancient statues and busts have often come down to us in a damaged condition. Noses are often missing, but also other protruding body parts. These were reconstructed until the 19th century. A turning point occurred in the 20th century: since then, archeology has considered the authenticity of the finds to be more important than their completeness and their original appearance, which one can only speculate about anyway. Therefore, the reconstructed noses were removed from the antique statues and busts on display. The noses, some of which were very artistically crafted, were not disposed of, but collected in specially set up nasos. The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen is exhibiting its Nasothek to show the public the changes in exhibition practice.

literature

• Egbert H. Huizing: The nose and beyond - no nose . In: Wolfgang Stoll (Hrsg.): Clinic of the human senses . Springer, Vienna and New York 2008, ISBN 978-3-211-76632-3 , pp. 66–82.