A great meeting of the gods was called for a certain day. As the various statues of the gods arrived from all over the world, the gatekeeper directed them.
Gold statues in rows 1 to 3, silver statues rows 4 and 5. Bronze statues in rows 6 through 10; marble statues, rows 11-20. Wooden statues in rows 21 to 40.
Now it so happened that Socrates was in attendance that day. He approached the gatekeeper.
Come, come, my friend, he chided him. A work of art cannot be judged merely on the basis of what it is made from. Some of these bronze and marble statues—even some of the wooden ones—are great masterpieces, made by the finest artists of their day. By any reasonable standard, we must hold them to be of greater value than statues of lesser craftsmanship that merely happen to be made from gold and silver.
The gatekeeper sighed and shook his head.
Ah Socrates, he said, Truly it is said that you are the wisest of men. Of course: what you say is the gods' own truth. A work of art indeed cannot be judged by what it is made from. Artistry is and must always be the highest value.
Then he turned back to his directing.
Gold statues in rows 1 to 3, silver statues rows 4 and 5....
From Aristophanes
Above: Amun (gold), 22nd Dynasty (945-712 BCE)