FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Antiquities Discussion Forums => Other Metal Antiquities => Topic started by: Mayadigger on April 08, 2022, 12:59:19 pm

Title: Questions concerning Statuette fragment
Post by: Mayadigger on April 08, 2022, 12:59:19 pm

Ave!

Lead with iron core; 37mm/45.8gm

Female head, hair waved and parted about, nose and mouth plow flattened, etc., formed and cast about an iron core.

What a curious artifact, indeed! Who or why would anyone create a statuette from lead in the first place? Perhaps it was never meant to be the head from a statue and served another purpose altogether? As seen in the photo, on the back of her head there are residual traces of iron rust leaking from an iron core that runs upward from her neck.

Very strange and we've never seen anything like this before...But whom or what does this elegant head represent? A goddess? A personification? Perhaps even an emperor's wife?

Any thoughts or comments will be truly appreciated!

Best to all,

Kevin

Title: Re: Questions concerning Statuette fragment
Post by: Joe Sermarini on April 08, 2022, 05:29:24 pm

Very similar heads made with terracotta are fairly common. Those heads are usually fragments that were attached to a body. When found the statues are usually broken. The head is the most interesting part and often the rest is not repairable, so the heads end up in commerce alone. Many of little terracotta statues were idols of gods and goddesses, but some were just decorations, and some were toys. We have handled quite a few - https://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?vpar=1604&pos=0&sold=1

Title: Re: Questions concerning Statuette fragment
Post by: Mayadigger on April 10, 2022, 11:40:09 am

Ave!

Excellent terracotta examples, Joe; thanks for sharing!

Can anyone hazard a guess as which century by her hair style? 2nd century, perhaps?

Title: Re: Questions concerning Statuette fragment
Post by: SC on April 11, 2022, 05:19:01 pm

Lead was cheaper but also had magic/apotropaic properties.

It doesn't look to be any Imperial style.  If you look at coin and stone portraits of second century Roman women the buns are all differently placed and the hair pattern is generally quite different.  Perhaps a more provincial style?

SC

Title: Re: Questions concerning Statuette fragment
Post by: Mayadigger on April 11, 2022, 05:53:49 pm

Ave Shawn,

As this was ground found near the Roman Provincial city of Mursa Major, so I'm thinking 2nd Cent.

"Lead was cheaper but also had magic/apotropaic properties."

I never heard that before, so when you find the time, can you elucidate further?

Thanks, Kevin