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The Brooklyn Museum

Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art
The Dinner Party: Heritage Floor: Tellus Mater




signature image

Judy Chicago (American, b. 1939). The Dinner Party (Heritage Floor; detail), 1974–79. Porcelain with rainbow and gold luster, 48 x 48 x 48 ft. (14.6 x 14.6 x 14.6 m). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10. © Judy Chicago. Photograph by Jook Leung Photography

Tellus Mater
Mythic, worshipped in ancient Rome, circa 753 B.C.–A.D. 476

Also known as Terra Mater, this goddess is the Roman counterpart of the Greek goddess Gaea. Literally "Mother Earth," Tellus Mater was responsible for agriculture and earthquakes as well as marriage and fertility. Her festival, held annually on April 15, was called the Fordicia and required the sacrifice of pregnant cows.

Related Place Setting

Fertile Goddess

Related Heritage Floor Entries

Bona Dea
Brigid
Cardea
Danu
Freya
Frija

Hera
Juno
Macha
Madderakka
Nerthus
Ninti

Last updated April 13, 2007.
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