Gemma Augustea: Detail

Published/Created:

ca. 15-37

Physical Description:

7.5 x 9 in.

Date Depicted:

1975
8000 BC - 499 AD

Materials:

onyx

Notes:

In spite of its many layers, Roman dress shows off the body. Notice how the Greek feeling for drapery is modified. This stola is fairly narrow and tightly belted.

Abstract:

Roman women dress in layers. The tunica intima, the first layer, is an undergarment like a slip. It is made of floor-length rectangles which are sewn together. Some versions have sleeves, others are sleeveless. At home it might be worn by itself. The stola is on top of the tunica intima. Usually sleeveless, it is calf length, cut more narrow than the undertunic, and belted high under the breasts. The instita, a train, is a length of fabric which sometimes is added by tucking it into the belt. The palla, a long rectangular scarf or shawl, is an out-of-doors accessory. Usually with a diadem and veil, it is draped around the body, sometimes over the head.

Topics:

Costume -- Rome -- History -- (LC)
Gems and Jewels -- Roman -- 1st century -- (YVRC)
Sculpture -- Roman -- 1st century -- (YVRC)

Culture:

Roman

Accession Number:

4388-148

Genre:

sculpture: cameos (AAT)

Format:

Image

Content Type:

Sculptures, Models, & Architecture

Rights:

The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.

Access Restrictions:

Yale Community Only

Related Exhibit or Resource:

Etruscan and Roman: 6th century BCE-3rd century CE: Dress: Women

Source Creator:

Button, Jeanne and Sbarge, Stephen

Source Title:

History of Costume, In Slides, Notes and Commentaries: Volume 1

Source Created:

New York, NY
Theatre Arts Slide Presentations
1975

Call Number:

GT513 +B87 1 (LC)

Orbis Barcode:

39002051938497

Yale Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Digital Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Original Repository:

Vienna, Austria: Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien

OID:

10542844

PID:

digcoll:1821936