Statuette of Urania

Statuette of a heavily draped female who is seated on a rocky support, leaning forward and crossing her right leg over her left. It is uncertain what the original position of the arms was as they were both lost but it is likely that the head may have rested on the right hand. The posture is one of reflection, enhanced by the drapery which confines the body. The crossing of the legs is common in antiquity and known from the Tyche of Antioch, however the pose in 59.148.83c is more dynamic. The woman's body is encased in a long and heavy chiton and cloak. The cloak terminates in a fringe on the left. Bartman notes that the pose and the overall context suggest that she is a Muse is represented; Urania with a globe is only known in one other statue. She compares well with the Urania in Frankfurt which was part of an ensemble of 5 Muses from a 2nd centuty BC Roman bath context at Agnano. She wears the thick sole shoes typical for Muses. The statuette was inserted into a modern rockly plinth. The head is probably ancient and seems smaller to the body so it may not belong to the body. Restorations include the nose, left eye, right half of the mouth, chin and left jaw right jaw and cheek, right side and front of neck, edge of drapery at the neckline, outer edges of the drapery in the skirt and right foot plus hem of skirt. Ashmole had seen the arms which were dowelled by Ashmole but are today lost. The left hand was restored with a scroll.