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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1926.21.14
Title
Seated Draped Woman
Classification
Sculpture
Work Type
statuette, sculpture
Date
3rd-2nd century BCE
Places
Creation Place: Europe, Greece
Period
Hellenistic period
Culture
Greek
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/291963

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Terracotta
Technique
Mold-made
Dimensions
13.8 × 6.2 × 10 cm (5 7/16 × 2 7/16 × 3 15/16 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Percy S. Straus
Accession Year
1926
Object Number
1926.21.14
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description
Seated young woman, draped. Her hair is drawn back in a complicated hairdo, similar to “melon” style: separated into four sections, twisted, and brought back into a small bun at the nape. The two center sections are crowned by smaller buns or ornaments (likely ivy berries), with separate locks of curly hair framing the face. Small head, looks down to the left. Regular features. Oval face with a small forehead. Small eyes with both lids rendered in relief; small, straight nose; small, closed mouth. She wears a light chiton that covers her right shoulder but seems to fall off the left. A thicker himation or mantle covers her lap and legs.

Sitting on a rectangular stool with a cushion, her right arm falls next to the body with her hand resting on the seat. Her left arm is bent at the elbow and rests upon her thigh, holding something flat in her hand, possibly a mirror (now missing). Her left leg is up, with the foot placed on what appears to be a footrest; the larger right foot lands on the figure’s base. She wears plain shoes.

Would have been painted originally, now only traces of white ground extant.

Hollow. Mold-made in two bivalve molds, likely plaster. No venthole. Detailing of hair incised. The back is modeled with care; here we get a sense of the woman’s weight won the stool’s cushion. Attached to a rectangular, narrow base; the stool is placed at an angle, lending the otherwise stiff figure a bit of dynamism.

The clay is bright brick-red and finely levigated; hard-fired.

Related Works

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu