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Roman stone statue of Fortuna

Lower portion of a statuette of Fortuna, broken at the level of the top of the legs. The stone has been little affected by weathering.

Fortuna is shown standing, and wearing a long peplos that reaches to the floor, and mantle. The weight of her body appears to be supported on her left leg, while her right is slightly bent, and the folds in her garments take account of this stance and are finely carved. She may also be wearing shoes, for her feet, protruding from beneath her tunic, bear no indication of toes. Beside her left foot is a globe with the remains of a rudder resting on it: the left arm was probably outstretched to hold its top, for the folds of the mantle that would have been draped over the arm are depicted on the side of the stone. Behind her right leg there is a wheel, with the hub and nave projecting on either side of the surface. The felloe is also clearly shown, but there are no indications of any spokes. This is the classical figure-type, except for the position of the globe and the rudder which on most representations of Fortuna are shown on her right side, but this reversal is not unparalleled. The sculpture stands on a shallow plinth. Since the back of the stone is carved only with vertical fluting, it may be inferred that the statuette stood against a wall or in a niche. A fragment of another statuette, probably of a Genius (39.186), has also been found on the site of the villa, and it is conceivable that, in the fourth century, the two figures may have been placed for decorative purposes on either side of the doorway into the best room, perhaps in small domestic shrines. The Fortuna statuette may have been re-located in this position, for an earlier date in the second or third century is probably more appropriate for its carving.

Roman stone statue of Fortuna
Image: By permission of Amgueddfa Cymru — Museum Wales
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Collection Area

Archaeology & Numismatics

Item Number

76.34H/1

Find Information

Site Name: Llantwit Major Villa, Llantwit Major

Grid Reference: SS 9588 6998
Collection Method: excavation
Date: 1971

Notes: Found in the corridor close to the main living-rooms situated in the north range of the villa.

Acquisition

Donation, 21/10/1976

Measurements

height / mm:280
width / mm:270
depth / mm:140
weight / g:26 [estimate]

Techniques

carved

Material

oolitic limestone

Location

In store

Categories

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