Pomona thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Pomona

Statuette
ca. 1775 - ca. 1800 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This statuette representing Pomona is made by Ferdinand Ditz in South Germany in the third quarter of the 18th century. The figure formed part of the decoration of the staircase, erected by Abbot Bonifazius Gessnet between 1754 and 1770, in the Abbey of Bildhausen, Unterfranken. Bildhausen, a Cistercian foundation, was secularised in 1803, and since 1914 has been in large part destroyed.
It has also been suggested that the present figure could represent a Sybil, probably the Libyan Sybil, who is normally shown with a garland of roses, and that there were more Sybils on the balustrade which have disappeared.
Dietz (1708-1777), was a German sculptor of the Rococo era. Ferdinand changed his name to Tietz. He was the second son of the sculptor Johann Adam Dietz.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitlePomona (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Limewood
Brief description
Statuette, limewood, Pomona or a Sybil, South German, by Ferdinand Dietz, third quarter of the 18th century
Physical description
Pomona stands cross-legged on a pedestal, her left forearm resting on a tree-trunk. On her head, a garland of flowers, in her left hand a wreath of flowers, she holds a fold of drapery in her right hand up to her breast. The drapery flutters about her form in stiff, angular folds. Figure, tree-trunk, garlands and pedestal are all painted in a light stone-grey.
Dimensions
  • Height: 81.6cm
Object history
Purchased from Dr. Heinz Steinmeyer, Munich, under the bequest of Captain H. B. Murray (£1034. 6. 0) and with Purchase Grant (£430. 8. 7).
The figure formed part of the decoration of the staircase, erected by Abbot Bonifazius Gessnet between 1754 and 1770, in the Abbey of Bildhausen, Unterfranken. Bildhausen, a Cistercian foundation, was secularised in 1803, and since 1914 has been in large part destroyed.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This statuette representing Pomona is made by Ferdinand Ditz in South Germany in the third quarter of the 18th century. The figure formed part of the decoration of the staircase, erected by Abbot Bonifazius Gessnet between 1754 and 1770, in the Abbey of Bildhausen, Unterfranken. Bildhausen, a Cistercian foundation, was secularised in 1803, and since 1914 has been in large part destroyed.
It has also been suggested that the present figure could represent a Sybil, probably the Libyan Sybil, who is normally shown with a garland of roses, and that there were more Sybils on the balustrade which have disappeared.
Dietz (1708-1777), was a German sculptor of the Rococo era. Ferdinand changed his name to Tietz. He was the second son of the sculptor Johann Adam Dietz.
Bibliographic reference
Lindemann, B. W., "Ferdinand Tietz - Probleme des kleinplastischen Werks", in: Zeitschrift des Deutschen Vereins für Kunstwissenschaft, XXXVII, ¼, 1983, pp. 73-108
Collection
Accession number
A.8-1957

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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