Delphi, Siphnian Caryatid (Sculpture)

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Collection:	Delphi Archaeological Museum
Title:	Caryatid from the Siphnian Treasury
Context:	From Delphi
Findspot:	Excavated at Delphi. The torso, head and other small fragments were found between 1891 and 1894 in the gardens and houses of the village which overlay the sanctuary.
Summary:	Caryatid
Material:	Marble
Sculpture Type:	Architectural
Category:	Statuary group
Placement:	Porch
Style:	High Archaic
Technique:	In-the-round
Original or Copy:	Original
Date:	530 BC - 525 BC
Dimensions:	H. 1.75 m, not including the capital which surmounted the kalathos
Scale:	Over life-size
Region:	Phocis
Period:	High Archaic
In Group:	Delphi, Siphnian Treasury sculpture

Subject Description:

The caryatid is one of a pair of mirror-image korai which, in place of columns, supported the entablature of the Siphnian Treasury porch. Her head, though battered, is essentially intact. She has a round face and finely combed hair, crimped in front, with four tendrils falling forward over each shoulder. Many holes attest to the numerous ornaments added to the stephane as well as to earrings. She wears a finely crinkled chiton with a simple scooped neck. The rolled himation passes from the left shoulder high under the opposite breast. Zig-zag pleats descend from a short, wide box pleat in the center. On her head is a drum-like element known as a kalathos. It is decorated with satyrs and nymphs in high relief. Robertson suggests comparison with a small relief panel in Munich from Paros, on which are dancing women. The kalathos in turn supported a capital of flattish form, also richly sculpted with lions attacking a deer.

Form & Style: In form and detail the caryatid is close to several korai from Delos, one from Paros (New York), one from Andros (Copenhagen) and a head in Thasos, a Parian colony (for this last, see Holtzmann 1977). The provenances might suggest that the sculptor of the Siphnian caryatid, probably Master A who was also responsible for the friezes on the west and south side, was a local, Cycladic sculptor. However, the connections with East Greek style are also strong.

Date Description: See Siphnian Treasury Sculpture

Condition: Fragmentary

Condition Description: Heavily restored from six fragments, including torso (inv. 2335), head (inv. 1155) with kalathos (back: inv. 929) and hair. The heavily eroded fragment of the front of the kalathos is often missing in photographs of the caryatid. Surface battered and heavily weathered.

Material Description: Parian marble

Associated Building: Delphi, Treasury of the Siphnians (IV)

Sources Used: GuideDelphMu 1991, 40 f.; Stewart 1990, 128; Amandry 1983; Boardman 1978a, fig. 210; Holtzmann 1977, 295ff.; Ridgway 1977, 100f.; Robertson 1975, 89; Marcadé 1953, 360 ff.; FdDelph 4.2, 57ff., pls. 18-20

Other Bibliography: Croissant 1983, 196ff.