What is the symbolism of the amphora?

June 6, 2017 12:22 PM

I have a marble bust with an amphora emerging from its side. Why?

I've just acquired the marble bust that you can see in the link above. There's an amphora emerging from the left side of the base. I've never seen anything like it. I can only guess that this is intended as some kind of symbolism. Any insight into this would set my mind at rest. Thanks!

posted by crazylegs to Media & Arts (5 answers total)

Practice for the sculptor?
posted by kdar at 2:59 PM on June 6, 2017

Very very speculatively, it could be an (unfinished?) depiction or allusion to the Samaritan woman at the well.
posted by gudrun at 3:31 PM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

Well, she also has no arms. Probably the arms, if they were there, would be holding the amphora at her side.

I also get the impression that the bust is somehow unfinished.
posted by tel3path at 5:19 AM on June 7, 2017

I was thinking it was Mary Magdalen (she often has a jar of oil), but yeah, Samaritan woman at the well is a good fit. Religious iconography makes sense because it's often awkwardly crammed in to the art just so the character is identified.

I'm thinking early 20th century because of the style, and either neoclassical or faux-Egyptian (so some kind of vague water carrier type antique person) or Biblical/saint iconography (hence head covering.)

Do you have any other information about this piece?
posted by blnkfrnk at 5:58 AM on June 7, 2017 [1 favorite]

The amphora shows up in sculpture with Venus / Aphrodite. I am not sure why. The Capitoline Venus and Aphrodite of Knidos are famous examples. The Dictionary of Signs and Symbols in Art by James Hall may help you.
posted by mortaddams at 1:55 PM on June 7, 2017