Marble female figure

Technical analysis: Multiband imaging, optical microscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy


This standing female figure is complete but with a right leg that is restored from the knee down. The forward-facing, rounded somewhat lyre-shaped head has a rounded chin, broad crown and a large, centrally-placed nose in relief. Disproportionately small ears are rendered in relief at either side of the head. There are traces of a lightly incised hairline and right eye. An unusually long, slightly tapered neck is set off from the torso by a shallow arched groove. The wide, slightly rounded shoulders and the arm, which bend at the elbows, form right angles that establish a sense of symmetry and an abstract quality to the figure. The hands with lightly incised wrists but no fingers meet below the two circular breasts carved in relief and above the flat, short belly. A horizontal ridge defines the lower belly and top of the wide pubic triangle dips slightly down on the left which is completed by arched grooves at the top large thighs. As is typical of the Plastiras type, the legs of this figure are carved in the round with voluptuous thighs and calves, and well-defined knees. The diminutive feet are carved flat at the bottom enabling the figure to stand without support.


The marble surface has heavy encrustations at the left side and rear. A red deposit between the left toes contains hematite and goethite particles, and it is likely a red ochre. Red cinnabar particles below the nose rest on an area of loss and so is likely a later addition or contamination.

Sandy MacGillivray, Dorothy Abramitis and Federico Carò