1. Marble: Parian marble was the preferred choice for Greek sculptors. It was a semi-translucent, pure white marble quarried from the Greek islands of Paros and Naxos. Pentelic marble, another popular type, was quarried from Mount Pentelicus near Athens. Carrara marble, from Italy, was also used.
2. Bronze: Bronze was a popular material for casting sculptures. It is an alloy of copper and tin, sometimes with the addition of other metals like lead or zinc.
3. Gold and Ivory: The chryselephantine technique involved covering a wooden core with gold and ivory. Gold represented the flesh, while ivory was used for clothing and other details. The famous statue of Zeus at Olympia and the Athena Parthenos in the Parthenon were examples of chryselephantine sculptures.
4. Wood: Wooden statues, while less common, were also made. They were typically coated with gesso or paint for durability and aesthetics.
Ancient Roman Statues:
1. Marble: The Romans also extensively used marble for their sculptures, including Carrara marble from Italy and white marble from Greek quarries like Paros and Pentelikon.
2. Bronze: Bronze continued to be a prominent material for Roman sculptures, often cast using the "lost-wax" method.
3. Terracotta: Terracotta (baked clay) was widely used for smaller-scale sculptures, busts, and figurines.
4. Stone: Various types of stone were employed, such as limestone, travertine, and basalt.
5. Gold, Silver, and Precious Stones: Precious metals and gemstones were sometimes used for embellishing sculptures or creating luxurious versions of statues.
It's worth noting that different artistic periods within ancient Greece and Rome had preferences for specific materials and techniques, and artists sometimes experimented with different materials and combinations.