Attis-shaped Support

This sculpture, which still conserves some of its original red colouring, depicts Attis, consort of Cybelle in Greek and Phrygian mythology. He wears a Phrygian cap, long trousers (anaxyrides) and a long-sleeve tunic fastened with a belt at the waist. THe god's right leg is crossed over his left, and his right hand closed in a fist under his chin, whilst his left hand supports his right elbow. According to several authors, these statues were not simple decorative elements to support table tops but instead veritable cultic objects or, according to others, depictions of eastern barbarian prisoners. This image born wiht a political significance and popular as of the Augustan age was exploited as an exhibition of social status.