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Muse playing a kithara
Greek, East Greek
Imperial Period
1st century A.D.
Medium/Technique
Terracotta
Dimensions
32.3 cm (12 11/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Martin Brimmer
Accession Number87.390
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsSculpture
Catalogue Raisonné
Burr, Terra-cottas from Myrina (MFA), no. 106.
DescriptionStatuette of standing draped Muse who holds her arms in a position of playing a kithara. She is standing on the right leg and having her left to the front and side. She is wearing a chiton, which is fastened with a button on her right shoulder and over that an himation, which is wrapped around her body and left upper arm, leaving her right breast free. Her hair is arranged in three rows of curls around her face and hangs down her neck. It is not worked behind. She wears a crown (stephane) decorated with a lotus and palmette design in relief; she has earrings in her ears and she is wearing thick-soled forked sandals. She stands on a low base.
The fingers of the left are missing and so are all of the fingers of the right hand but the thumb; also missing parts of the side curls.
Traces of cream on flesh, reddish-brown on hair, black on stephane and button, pink and red on himation.
Light-reddish yellow clay.
The fingers of the left are missing and so are all of the fingers of the right hand but the thumb; also missing parts of the side curls.
Traces of cream on flesh, reddish-brown on hair, black on stephane and button, pink and red on himation.
Light-reddish yellow clay.
ProvenanceBefore 1887, found on the estate of Aristide Baltazzi Bey (b. 1830 - d. 1887), Kalabassary, south of Myrina, Turkey [see note 1]; 1887, sold by Baltazzi to Martin Brimmer (b. 1893 - d. 1947), Boston; 1887, gift of Brimmer to the MFA [see note 2]. (Accession date: November 1, 1887)
NOTES:
[1] According to Museum’s records.
[2] As part of a group of 29 terracottas from the same origin (MFA 87.371-87.399).
NOTES:
[1] According to Museum’s records.
[2] As part of a group of 29 terracottas from the same origin (MFA 87.371-87.399).