In Greek mythology, Demeter is the goddess of harvest and fertility. Her teaching of the art of sowing and ploughing made it possible for mankind to end their wandering nomadic lifestyle. However when Hades abducted her daughter Persephone to the underworld, Demeter's grief caused chaos in the land as she put off her duties in search of her daughter in vain. With intervention from Zeus, Persephone was finally able to return to Demeter for 9 out of 12 months each year. During those 3 months, Demeter's earth is barren - thus is the origin of the four seasons, with Winter being the time of Demeter's grief, and Spring being the return of Persephone. This wonderfully crafted cold cast bronze statue measures 8.75 inches high, 5.25 inches long and 3.5 inches wide, and depicts Demeter sitting on a stone bench holding a sheaf of wheat and a torch in her hands, and a basket of wheat sits behind her.