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Source Image: PR307_02_17 of Unfinished Hermes of Aphrodisias: Miscellaneous Statuary

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Description

Detail of the unfinished Hermes from the West Necropolis.

Monument
Aphrodisias: Miscellaneous Statuary 
Monument Part
Unfinished Hermes 
Monument Type
Statuary 
Material(s)
Aphrodisian marble (Visual identification)  
Date
circa ad 100 - circa ad 300 
Keywords
BodyHermes  
Collections
Aphrodisias, Site and Museum  

Location

Original Location
Aphrodisias 
Current Location
Aphrodisias Museum 

Evidence for working practices

1. Toolmarks

Process
Roughing-out
Tool
Point
Method
Angle: Vertical (90°)
Force: Medium
Description
Rough point chiselling can be seen on the side of this figure, especially on the stone beneath the arm. This appears to have been left to act as a buttress while the arm was being worked on and would probably have been removed during finishing.

2. Toolmarks

Process
Rough shaping
Tool
Roundel
Method
Angle: Shallow (40-50°)
Force: Medium
Description
The caduceus which Hermes holds in his left hand has been roughly shaped with the roundel.

3. Guideline

Process
Laying-out
Tool
Flat Chisel
Method
Angle: Shallow (40-50°)
Force: Gentle
Description
A series of guidelines were carved into the surface of the caduceus to assist the carver during the working of this complex form.

Notes

As on other unfinished carvings from Aphrodisias, it is clear that the carver was working from the front of the block to the back, carving the subject first in two dimensions before working all the way around it. Only limited work has been done on the sides and back of this figure as a result.

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