• r2-129-10
    Statuette of muse with kithara, frontal view. (©Archaeological Exploration of Sardis/President and Fellows of Harvard College)

Statuette of Muse with Kithara

Date
1st half of 3rd C. AD, Roman
Sardis or Museum Inv. No.
S69.010
Material
Marble, Stone
Object Type
Sculpture
Sculpture Type
Mythological Figure, Draped Woman
Site
Sardis
Sector
B
Trench
MC 69
Locus
B Marble Court
B-Grid Coordinates
E32.5 / N54.2 *96.24
Description

Her weight is on l. leg, r. leg bent and drawn back. Her r. arm was probably held out, holding plektron, and l. holding kithara. She leans with l. leg against a simply profiled altar which supports the kithara on top. Muse wears high-girt chiton with breasts clearly indicated and a diagonal band over r. shoulder to kithara. The lower garment reveals both legs, which are separated by deeply drilled folds. Square-ended shoes project from drapery. On her r. hip is the trace of a rectangular strut (0.03 by 0.025) for support of r. arm. Bottom is worked for insertion in base, but back so summarily done that display against wall is a certainty.

Breasts confirm identification as a muse rather than Apollo. Typical deep drill runs and “stop” dots (drill holes) at bottom of garment support the date of A.D. 200-250.

Comments
See Also
Bibliography
Author
NHR