.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Large draped seated statues of this type lined the Sacred Way of the Temple of Apollo at Didyma and were also installed in the sanctuary itself, possibly representing the benefactors who financed the new building project of the 6th century B.C. (see, for example, no. GR 1859.12-26.9, Sculpture B 280 in the British Museum). The use of limestone rather than marble, as well as the stylistic differences in the rendering of the chiton and mantle suggest that the present example may be from a different East Greek sanctuary, such as Samos, Delos or Cyme, where other similar figures were dedicated.
All these figures share a common stylistic anonymity, the result of the body being overwhelmed by the heavy draped garments. Most likely these statues were not meant to be realistic portraits but generic depictions of wealthy individuals and local rulers, all dedicated to Apollo, some identified by inscriptions.
All these figures share a common stylistic anonymity, the result of the body being overwhelmed by the heavy draped garments. Most likely these statues were not meant to be realistic portraits but generic depictions of wealthy individuals and local rulers, all dedicated to Apollo, some identified by inscriptions.