Advanced Search 
Tyche-Fortuna
Roman
Imperial Period
mid- to late 2nd century A.D.
Medium/Technique
Marble from Dokimeion (present-day Afyon, Turkey)
Dimensions
Height: 95.5 cm (37 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Rowland, Jr.
Accession Number1971.746
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsSculpture
Catalogue Raisonné
Sculpture in Stone (MFA), no. 190; Sculpture in Stone and Bronze (MFA), p. 112 (additional published references).
DescriptionThe goddess originally supported a rudder with her right hand. In her left she carries a cornucopia. Her crown in the form of a battlement indicates that she is associated with a city, perhaps Cremna (in Asia Minor), where she is reported to have been found with statuettes of Hermes, Muses, and other Tychai.
Part of the crown's battlements and the upper end of the cornucopia are missing. The right hand and nearly all of the attribute have been broken away. The surfaces are in excellent condition, with a light yellow coloring to the translucent marble and evidences of red (under?) paint in the hair. The surfaces, particultarly of the cornucopia, have a high polish, and the edges of the drapery retain their delicacy in most places. There are some stains of darker yellow or light brown.
Scientific Analysis:
Harvard Lab No. HI231: Isotope ratios - delta13C +0.80 / delta18O -4.96, Attribution - Dokimeion, Justification - Fine grained marble.
Part of the crown's battlements and the upper end of the cornucopia are missing. The right hand and nearly all of the attribute have been broken away. The surfaces are in excellent condition, with a light yellow coloring to the translucent marble and evidences of red (under?) paint in the hair. The surfaces, particultarly of the cornucopia, have a high polish, and the edges of the drapery retain their delicacy in most places. There are some stains of darker yellow or light brown.
Scientific Analysis:
Harvard Lab No. HI231: Isotope ratios - delta13C +0.80 / delta18O -4.96, Attribution - Dokimeion, Justification - Fine grained marble.
ProvenanceBy date unknown, Professor and Mrs. Benjamin Rowland, Jr. Collection (loaned to MFA as 124.69) (according to the entry in MFA, Sculpture in Stone: from Cremna in Pisidia); 1971, year-end gift of Professor and Mrs. Benjamin Rowland, Jr. to the MFA.