The Parthenon sculptures, commonly called the Elgin Marbles for the London-held group, are primarily made of marble. Most were carved from fine Pentelic marble quarried from Mount Pentelicus, north of Athens, during the fifth century BC.
The sculptures formed the Parthenon’s metopes, continuous frieze, and pedimental figures. They were created under the artistic direction traditionally associated with Phidias while the temple was built for Athena on the Acropolis. The marble was prized for its grain, pale colour, and ability to take finely modelled details.
A common mix-up is confusing these sculptures with the lost Athena Parthenos inside the temple. That colossal cult statue was chryselephantine—constructed from gold and ivory over a framework—rather than marble. The surviving Parthenon sculptures were also originally painted in places, so their present pale appearance does not represent their entire ancient colour scheme. The collection’s ownership and removal from Athens remain subjects of international dispute.