ROMAN MARBLE FEMALE TORSO The voluptuous woman with an elongated torso wears a loose fitting exomis clasped at her left shoulder, exposing her right breast. The drapery cascades down beautifully, adhering to her body and revealing its sensuous form; a belt tied in a reef (Herakles) knot hangs low across her hips. One long wavy lock of hair falls on each shoulder, and surviving struts indicate that she originally held attributes. The summarily carved back, where the belt abruptly stops, indicates that the piece was originally intended to be displayed in a niche. The figure may represent a nymph or, perhaps more likely, a maiden attending to patrons of the baths, as she is closely related to the statue of an African bath attendant holding a situla of perfumed oil found in the baths of Aphrodisias. 2nd-3rd century AD H: 33 cm (13 in) Frank Stanton Collection (former head of CBS), acquired in the 1950s-1970s.
Safani Gallery inc, New York