• Field number (written on back of figurine): 4676
Previous Publications: Laumonier (1956: 126, pl. 35, no. 319)
Height: 204 mm
Iconographic type: Herm wearing a double crown, possibly representing Hermes-Thoth (Chapter 4.9) . The crown has broken off the head of A3303, but comparison with its mold sibling, A3370, provides an indication of what the intact figurine would have looked like
Archaeological Context: Interior courtyard of house A, Insula VI, in the Theater Quarter (Chapter 5.3.2)
Fabric Type: Reddish “Cycladic” fabric, untempered, levigated (Chapter 2.5.3)
Manufacturing Techniques:
• Type of temper used (Chapter 3.4.1): Untempered
• Number of molds used (Chapter 3.4.2): Double-molded
• Condition of mold: Somewhat worn
• Solid or hollow: Hollow
• Presence of vents (Chapter 3.4.3)? One irregularly-shaped, roughly oval vent in the upper back; one irregularly-shaped slit at the back side of the base.
• Presence of separate base? Yes. Base takes the form of two rectangles, smaller atop larger, both topped with double moldings. Bottom of base is closed.
• Presence of visible fingerprints? No
• Evidence of reworking (Chapter 3.4.3)? Some retooling; use of thin blade to delineate features, on the back side, which were not present in the mold itself (e. g. , the curls of the hair); surface smoothing, seemingly with a spatula-like tool; use of burin to scrape off excess limewash (Chapter 3 . 4.5.3); cutting of vents into back
• Handmade applique elements present (Chapter 3.4.2)? No
• Method of attachment of head, limbs, etc. (Chapter 3.4.2): Entire figurine comes from the same double mold
• Evidence of “bubbles” created by plaster mold (Chapter 3.4.2)? Yes—one large blister on the right “shoulder” of the herm, one small blister at the bottom left of the kerykeion, and two tiny blisters between the bands of the ribbon that binds the phallus
• Appearance of back of figurine: Roughly modeled, with a bit more care taken in the rendering of the coiffure
• Presence of preserved slip, self-slip, limewash, and/or glaze:
• Presence of preserved paint (Chapter 3.4.5)? Yellow (10YR 6/8) on hair and beard. Some deep black traces (Gley 2.5/5PB) are also present in the beard, atop the yellow; perhaps black was used to delineate waves or curls in the beard? Off-white paint traces on face and herm shaft (10YR 6/2 to 2.5Y 7/2) . Minute pink trace (5R 8/2-8/3) on wreath. Dark red traces (7.5R 3/6) on base
• Evidence for repair: No
• Other: Mold sibling of A3370
Photograph: Fig. D83
World History
