Marble female figure

Technical analysis: Ultraviolet-induced visible luminescence examination, optical microscopy


The figure, carved from white marble, is complete except for a break in the neck that has been mended with a modern adhesive or fill. The opaque surface layer has delaminated in some areas, revealing a heavily etched, translucent white marble underneath. This condition suggests that the figure was exposed to a harsh environment that led to the formation of a secondary deposit of accretions on the surface. There are numerous root marks on the lower third of the figure and along the proper right side. A diagonal line of black marks crosses the middle of the back; brown discolorations are especially prominent along the proper right side of the figure and the back of the head.


The figure is a hybrid variety, with the head, neck and upper body of a Louros-type figure combined with a highly schematic lower body. Although the figure is flat, the roughly triangular head is clearly defined, with the chin carved in three dimensions to distinguish it from the elongated neck. Triangular projections at the level of the shoulders represent arms. The breasts are not articulated. Five horizontal incisions across the abdomen, which represent the division between the upper and lower body, are the only markings on the figure. The lower part of the figure widens just below the incisions to represent hips but has no other discernable features. The bottom ends with a flat horizontal edge.


The figure is part of a group of objects acquired by Leonard Stern that came from the Christoph Bernoulli collection.


Alexis Belis and J-F de Lapérouse