Ananova:

A lifesize gold statue of Kate Moss as a "modern-day Aphrodite" with her legs tucked behind her head has been unveiled at the British Museum.

It is the largest gold statue made by man since ancient Egyptian times, weighing 50kg, around the same as its subject.

Artist Marc Quinn, whose previous works include the sculpture of a pregnant woman with no arms or legs on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, said Siren cost £1.5m to make, £1m of which was for the gold.

He expects it to fetch up to £10m when it is sold following its time with the British Museum in January.

Mr Quinn said he saw Miss Moss, who posed for him for a day though not in the position of the statue, as a "modern day Aphrodite".

"For Kate, she thinks it lifts her into a mythical level," he said. "I think she very much loved it because she understands the difference between her image and her self.

"The sculpture is really about whether we make images or they make us. It's about trying to live up to impossible dreams and immortality."

Siren is one of several contemporary sculptures in the exhibition Statuephilia. It also features Ron Mueck's striking Mask II, a sleeping giant self portrait.

With the price of the statue's material soaring in the current financial crisis, Mr Quinn said his Siren's unveiling was timely.

"If there was a war or anarchy this will be melted down and turned into bullion, so it's a canary in a cage down a mineshaft."