Statue of a Nymph with shell (inv. no. 24-03-26-267)

Description: The statue depicts a nymph, with himation knotted around her hips, holding a shell in her hands and flanked by a dolphin. The statuary type derives from those of Venus Pudica and Venus Anadyomene. Three similar specimens are found in the baths of Timgad (Algeria) and Thuburbo Maius. The back of the sculpture has only broad, flat, sketched folds, suggesting that it could have been placed within a niche. The style, together with the use of the support, seems to indicate a dating to the end of the 2nd-beginning of the 3rd century CE.

Typology: Ideal sculpture
Definition: Statue of a Nymph with shell (inv. no. 24-03-26-267)
Collection: Thugga, reserves.
Inventory number: 24-03-26-267
Provenance: The statue was found in the in the southern basin of the Aïn Doura Baths, in Thugga.
Date: 2nd-3rd c. CE?
Material: Proconnesian marble.
Dimensions: Height: 98 cm (larger than life size).

Analytical methods: VIS; UV; MO VIS; MO UV
Autoptic examination: Numerous traces of color are visible to the naked eye: a red pigment in the dolphin's veins, in the caudal fin, along the back and near the support; a thick yellow-ochre paint on the drapery. The latter casts a shadow with yellow and pink hues on the plinth.
Imaging: Observation under UV light highlights a pictorial layer on the drape and flesh, and lines marking the edge of the drape and folds.

Under painting traces: no
Pigments: Black, white, red, brown, yellow, orange, blue.
Binder: n.d.
Stratigraphy: Directly on the marble.
Shading: Blue dots on the shell, red lines on the skin, red shadows cast on the plinth.
Metallic traces: no
Tools marks: no
Background colour: no
Apparent marble parts: no
Restorations: no