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