|
|
Bronze Statuette of Aphrodite Entering
Her Bath
Egypt, said to be from Alexandria
2nd century A.D.
H. 15.0 cm (6"); H. (including base) 18.0 cm (7 3/32")
Burton Y. Berry Collection,
75.108.A-B
The goddess has a decorative hairdo with rolled up sides and a bowtie (krombylos) at
the crown, and two loose tresses falling onto her shoulders. In her right
hand she holds up a folded cesta (girdle) or a headband decorated
with engraved designs, whose strings are visible along the inside of her
arm, and she relaxes on her right foot, with the left one drawn back. The
goddess is preparing to step down into her ritual bath. The motif of the
naked Aphrodite posing on a stepped basin with an object in her hand was
fashionable in Roman Syria; however, accomplished versions from Roman Egypt
are also known.
|
