The Vestal Tuccia (?)
Statuette
middle of 16th century (made)
middle of 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This figure may represent a Vestal Tuccia (a Vestal Virgin).
Vestal Virgins in ancient Roman history were virgin priestesses for Vesta, the goddess of the hearth. They kept the sacred fire of Vesta alive. It is said that they have been originally two, then four, then normally six. Candidates where between the ages of six and ten and served for usually five years (in historical terms 30) and had to remain virgin during that time. They were chosen by the pontifex maximus. Not much is known about the ritual though.
Vestal Virgins in ancient Roman history were virgin priestesses for Vesta, the goddess of the hearth. They kept the sacred fire of Vesta alive. It is said that they have been originally two, then four, then normally six. Candidates where between the ages of six and ten and served for usually five years (in historical terms 30) and had to remain virgin during that time. They were chosen by the pontifex maximus. Not much is known about the ritual though.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Vestal Tuccia (?) (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Statuette, bronze, a Vestal Tuccia, Italy (perhaps Padua), middle of 16th century |
| Physical description | This statuette shows a female figure standing in antique drapery holding out a large round sieve or tray. The figure and the pedestal are cast separately. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | From the Salting Bequest |
| Object history | From the Salting bequest. |
| Historical context | The figure and the pedestal are cast separately. It is possible that this figure may represent a Danaid instead of a Vestal Tuccia. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This figure may represent a Vestal Tuccia (a Vestal Virgin). Vestal Virgins in ancient Roman history were virgin priestesses for Vesta, the goddess of the hearth. They kept the sacred fire of Vesta alive. It is said that they have been originally two, then four, then normally six. Candidates where between the ages of six and ten and served for usually five years (in historical terms 30) and had to remain virgin during that time. They were chosen by the pontifex maximus. Not much is known about the ritual though. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.123-1910 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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