DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15094#0023
PLATE IV.
A female statue, larger than life, with a modius on the head. It
is evidently an architectural statue, and was one of the caryatides
which supported the portico of an ancient building. The character
of this figure is highly dignified and impressive. It is clothed with
a long tunic descending to the feet, over which is worn a short robe
reaching below the hips ; to these is added a cloak which is fastened
by fibulae or buttons to each shoulder, and falls behind to the
ground. There is great simplicity in the drapery, the folds of which
are not increased by any zone or girdle round the waist. The arms
are ornamented with bracelets, but are otherwise naked. The hair
is curled, and worn very full round the forehead; it is drawn
together with a ribband at the back of the neck, and then descends
in five spiral locks. On each side of the head, just below the modius,
is a small hole to which some metallic ornament has been originally
attached, probably a narrow diadem. The modius is decorated with
the Greek ornament resembling the flowers of the honeysuckle^
and with a border of flowers, which are detached from each other,
and in a perfectly expanded state : below these is a row of beads.
The ear-rings are in the form of flowers, similar to those which we
see on the border of the modius. The neck is adorned with two
neck-laces, one of which is composed of a simple row of strung
pearls or beads, and the other consists of a pendent row of drop
ornaments.
This statue, with another nearly similar to it, was found during
the reign of Pope Sixtus the Vth., amongst some ancient ruins in
the Villa Strozzi, situated on the Appian road, about a mile and a
half beyond the tomb of Ciecilia Metella, commonly called Capo
di Hove. It was placed with its companion in the Villa Montalto,
from whence it came into Mr. Townley's possession through the
means of Mr. Jenkins, who in the year 1786, purchased all the
marbles which enriched that magnificent Villa. In the year 1766,
three other female figures, of the same size and subject as the
present, were found nearly in the same place, together with a
A female statue, larger than life, with a modius on the head. It
is evidently an architectural statue, and was one of the caryatides
which supported the portico of an ancient building. The character
of this figure is highly dignified and impressive. It is clothed with
a long tunic descending to the feet, over which is worn a short robe
reaching below the hips ; to these is added a cloak which is fastened
by fibulae or buttons to each shoulder, and falls behind to the
ground. There is great simplicity in the drapery, the folds of which
are not increased by any zone or girdle round the waist. The arms
are ornamented with bracelets, but are otherwise naked. The hair
is curled, and worn very full round the forehead; it is drawn
together with a ribband at the back of the neck, and then descends
in five spiral locks. On each side of the head, just below the modius,
is a small hole to which some metallic ornament has been originally
attached, probably a narrow diadem. The modius is decorated with
the Greek ornament resembling the flowers of the honeysuckle^
and with a border of flowers, which are detached from each other,
and in a perfectly expanded state : below these is a row of beads.
The ear-rings are in the form of flowers, similar to those which we
see on the border of the modius. The neck is adorned with two
neck-laces, one of which is composed of a simple row of strung
pearls or beads, and the other consists of a pendent row of drop
ornaments.
This statue, with another nearly similar to it, was found during
the reign of Pope Sixtus the Vth., amongst some ancient ruins in
the Villa Strozzi, situated on the Appian road, about a mile and a
half beyond the tomb of Ciecilia Metella, commonly called Capo
di Hove. It was placed with its companion in the Villa Montalto,
from whence it came into Mr. Townley's possession through the
means of Mr. Jenkins, who in the year 1786, purchased all the
marbles which enriched that magnificent Villa. In the year 1766,
three other female figures, of the same size and subject as the
present, were found nearly in the same place, together with a