Classic figure- age and origin

Hi all,what do you think of this? Age? It is non-magnetic and Iam thinking it might be gilded lead? (or
Pewter) Couldn’t find exact visual matches. Roman or Greek? Woman wearing a toga? Was wondering if it’s religious? Maybe Mary? (but I don’t think so,looking at that necklace) It’s about 10,5cm tall and weighs about 300grams. Looks to have honest age. Thanks for any help

 

Roman.

Very unlikely. She could represent a virtue.
Or maybe an early Christian saint, from Rome. There were several, mostly martyred.

I'll tag @Bronwen for you.

 

Many thanks AJ,appreciate it you replying to me. So definitely Roman. ‘Mostly martyred’ that’s terrible and really sad!

 

I wonder if she might have been for a household shrine, representing Vesta (goddess of the hearth and home), or perhaps an ancestor.

 

Very interesting comment and possibility. Would explain why I can’t find an exact visual match. Will also investigate the Vesta lead more and search accordingly.
Thank you so much @2manybooks

 

Roman empress, perhaps. Can't help feeling she's a copy of something. Can't help with the construction. Spelter? Hollow or solid?

I should add that it was not unusual for emperors & empresses to have themselves depicted as gods/goddesses, but I'm not seeing any attributes of a deity here.

 

Might be relevant -

https://www.lot-art.com/auction-lot...mily/40980295-ancient_roman-01.10.20-catawiki

 

Well, I've done what some of you probably also did, an image search & see it comes up with things like Genius (essential spirit, not high IQ) wearing a toga, mourning Mary (think this one can be ruled out) & Pudicity (a good name for Mikey's vase).



Could be a priestess, such as this:

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/G_1873-0820-741

A lot of similarity to the figure at the top right of this Facebook page, which seems to be offering reproductions:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1450498455215782/posts/3980460672219535/

A Roman figure of an upright (both senses) female. Almost said 'virtuous', but no Roman would apply that word to a woman.

2manybooks just reinforced Vesta. She's as good a contender as any.

 

Thank you for comment and information. Feels heavy (for it’s size) and solid to me. So not thinking spelter.That little hole on the bottom is also solid inside (poking it I found no cavity) Had to search the definition of ‘deity’ Appreciate your reply

 

My first reaction was "Justinian's mother"; he was the Eastern Roman emperor at one point. IIRC he and his mother are both Orthodox saints.

 

Well that’s very interesting. Never heard of them.. Thank you for the comment. I will look into that.

 

Anyway,Iam thinking this might be quite old.. Any interesting object..

 

Some real damage to the one foot and dents around head area.

 

This one is described as a Vestal virgin by an Italian auction house:

 

Thank you

 

Any guesses or feelings as to possible age? Or not really possible to say for sure? Thanks

 

Ok,well any objection to me calling this ‘antique’? My personal opinion is that it’s certainly very old..

 

If you are really curious, and the base metal is in fact lead, you might look for a lab that could do a lead isotope analysis. The technique has been used to identify the sources of lead used in objects from various Roman sites.

https://oxalid.arch.ox.ac.uk/

https://www.nature.com/articles/s40494-024-01151-2

 

Think she definitely qualifies as what various museums are calling 'the Pudicitia type'. These same statuettes have also been described as the same figures we have mentioned, Vestals, empresses, etc.

When it comes to material, the little I can make out from pix looks like reddish oxidation on the bottom, which would suggest some iron content. What does a magnet tell you?

 

Boland said earlier that it was non-magnetic.