DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15100#0073
40
and fastened upon the right shoulder, the double passing under
the left arm, and the open edges hanging down the right side; large
bullae, probably of lead, being fastened to each corner to prevent
its flying too much about to the inconvenience of the wearer. That
which was originally attached to the corner which hangs down in
front, has been broken off. On her feet are slight, open sandals.
Her hair is parted in front, and drawn in wavy locks to the back
part of the head, where it is collected into a knot, whence fall two
curly ringlets on each side, resting upon the shoulders. In the
right hand, besides the ears of corn which are folded back, are
pieces of fruit, probably an apple and a date, not seen from the po-
sition of the hand as represented in the engraving; and in the left
hand a garland composed of flowers hangs over the side Of the
situla, disclosing within the bend the ring into which the handle
is inserted.
This figure has received the name of Ceres chiefly perhaps on
account of the corn and fruit, which are held in the right hand;
but this hand is a restoration, probably taken from some ancient
statue, but certainly not belonging to the one now before us, as, in
proportions and workmanship, it does not correspond with the
left. No conclusion, therefore, can be safely drawn from these
adjuncts, and the similar statues in other collections represented
with the situla are of little use in the illustration of this figure, as
in nearly every case they have both arms restored.4 But, as all
the female figures on coins and bas reliefs with the situla appear
to be representations of Isis, we are disposed to think that either
the sistrum or some other attribute of that goddess was held in
the right hand of the statue now under consideration. The head
of this figure, though it appears rather large in proportion to the
body, is, we believe, the same which originally belonged to it. The
objects above the disk, which have the appearance of ears of corn,
4 Clarac, Mus. de Sculpt, pll. 987, 8, 9, 90, 91, 92.
and fastened upon the right shoulder, the double passing under
the left arm, and the open edges hanging down the right side; large
bullae, probably of lead, being fastened to each corner to prevent
its flying too much about to the inconvenience of the wearer. That
which was originally attached to the corner which hangs down in
front, has been broken off. On her feet are slight, open sandals.
Her hair is parted in front, and drawn in wavy locks to the back
part of the head, where it is collected into a knot, whence fall two
curly ringlets on each side, resting upon the shoulders. In the
right hand, besides the ears of corn which are folded back, are
pieces of fruit, probably an apple and a date, not seen from the po-
sition of the hand as represented in the engraving; and in the left
hand a garland composed of flowers hangs over the side Of the
situla, disclosing within the bend the ring into which the handle
is inserted.
This figure has received the name of Ceres chiefly perhaps on
account of the corn and fruit, which are held in the right hand;
but this hand is a restoration, probably taken from some ancient
statue, but certainly not belonging to the one now before us, as, in
proportions and workmanship, it does not correspond with the
left. No conclusion, therefore, can be safely drawn from these
adjuncts, and the similar statues in other collections represented
with the situla are of little use in the illustration of this figure, as
in nearly every case they have both arms restored.4 But, as all
the female figures on coins and bas reliefs with the situla appear
to be representations of Isis, we are disposed to think that either
the sistrum or some other attribute of that goddess was held in
the right hand of the statue now under consideration. The head
of this figure, though it appears rather large in proportion to the
body, is, we believe, the same which originally belonged to it. The
objects above the disk, which have the appearance of ears of corn,
4 Clarac, Mus. de Sculpt, pll. 987, 8, 9, 90, 91, 92.