Statue of 'Anchirroe'

Headless young female statue, inscribed 'Anchirroe'. The statue represents a type that is known in more than twenty versions but none of them preserves the original head, arms or attributes. The draped female tiptoes forward in a graceful movement that is most certainly a restoration. The figure faces the front and has the weight on her left leg, bent at the knee. The extended right leg is a restoration and adds movement to the statue but does result to the arched foot overhanging from the plinth. It is most certain that the right lower leg and the foot were bare because the woman raises the hem of her skirt grasping the drapery in her right hand. The female wears a chiton and an himation. The sleeveless chiton is cut with a deep armhole and the himation is hiked up on her right leg and folded back off her left shoulder. On the left hand side there are swallowtail folds on the edge of the chiton's long overfold. The Greek inscription Anchyrrhoe at the front of the plinth, inspired the 18th restoration of the statue as holding a water jug and adorned with a lotus flower. The inscription was forgotten because according to Henry Blundell it was covered by mortar and it was rediscovered in the 18th century. The authenticity of the inscription was doubted because of the unorthodox spelling. 16th century restorations of nymphs were extremely popular. The modern head, formerly associated with the statue, has the accession number WAG 8777. The statue was once at the Villa d'Este at Tivoli, where it decorated the Fontanile della Civetta, one of the famous fountains at the Villa. It was purchased in 1790 by Lisanroni perhaps with the involvement of Pacetti. Hadrian Villa's provenance is speculative. The head that was originally removed was added by Lisandroni and his partner Antonio d'Este, restorations also include the arms the right leg below the knee and the foot, the outer edges of the drapery. The front of the plinth has been broken and rejoined.