Inspired by The Winged Victory of Samothrace, Broken Altar is a design for the private contemplation of beauty.

Overlooking the Daru Staircase in the heart of Paris’ Louvre Museum, The Winged Victory is a 5.6 metre Parian marble figure sculpted into the goddess Nike, representing victory in all forms. 

In existence since the Hellenistic age, She was lost to time and lay buried on the island of Samothrace until being uncovered in 1863. Today the statue stands imperfect, missing its head, both arms and right foot; its fragmented left wing is held together by a metal frame, and the bust, left breast, belt and back have also been heavily restored. Yet despite these cracks, chips and repairs, The Winged Victory is regarded as an artefact of exquisite beauty, which begs the question—what is it about her, and her unique composition of beauty, that we deem so worthy of love? 

Consider our own reflections for a moment; while staring into a mirror there is more than our physical selves cast back at us. We are confronted with the story of our past. Everything we have endured and by which we, ourselves, have been shaped. We see our aspirations; and everything else unspoken in our evolving, fractured and restored selves, standing before us. The simple act of perceiving our own reflection requires us to hold all of that. Every time we catch a glance of ourselves in a mirror we can no longer hide.

Derived from this sentiment, Broken Altar is constructed with two handmade ruined-plaster plinths that frame a pane of hand-cut, broken mirrored glass. Designed to stand in the home as a permanent invitation to witness our wholeness – with all the cracks, scars and imperfections. Evoking the transcendent beauty of Nike within us all.