Svantovit
1933, Bronze
The Slavonic god Svantovit evokes holiness and wisdom. His four heads facing north, south, east and west contain all of the knowledge that he has amassed to rule the four corners of the earth. Svantovit sits astride his horse, carrying a sword for justice and a horn through which he utters prophesies.
Cycle of the Tree/Zivena
1945, Mixed Media
The Slavonic goddess of life, Zivena was carved by Polasek at the age of 66, from a piece of apple wood taken from his home town in Moravia. The goddess grows from the trunk of an apple tree; birds seek shelter in her boughs and fruit is plentiful. Zivena’s crown is life’s most recognizable symbol, the sun. The crown is transformed in the rear, now depicting the moon and stars, while her hair resembles flowing water.
Pan
1920, Bronze
Polasek’s favorite mythological character was the Greek god Pan, son of Hermes and a nymph. Half goat and half man, Pan lived in the forest playing a syrinx (panpipe) and making mischief. Polasek created 26 small faces of Pan, which are hidden throughout the Museum property in pedestals, fountains and doorways.