Pomona at The Louvre, Paris

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Pomona was a goddess revered for her abundance of fruitful riches in ancient Roman mythology. Her name originates from the Latin term pomum, meaning "fruit," specifically referring to orchard fruit. She was described as a woodland nymph with exceptional beauty. In Ovid's mythological account, Pomona rejected the affections of Silvanus and Picus, two woodland gods, yet surprisingly accepted Vertumnus after he cleverly disguised himself as an elderly woman. This union led to the celebration of a festival on August 13th, during which she was revered alongside her husband. The role of high priest, flamen Pomonalis, was dedicated to worshiping and honoring this goddess. Her symbolic attribute was the pruning knife, a tool essential for cultivating and maintaining orchards. A sacred grove, known as the Pomonal, stood in reverence to her name, situated not far from Ostia, Rome's ancient port. Pomona's domain encompassed fruit trees, gardens, and orchards, distinguishing her from many other Roman deities without a Greek counterpart. She was often associated with Demeter, a goddess of harvests. Pomona's primary focus lay in nurturing the growth and flourishing of fruit trees rather than reaping their fruits. Artistic depictions typically portray Pomona holding a platter of fresh fruit or a cornucopia, symbolizing her association with abundance. A notable example can be found atop the Pulitzer Fountain in Manhattan's Grand Army Plaza, New York City. Additionally, a statue dedicated to this goddess is situated near Reykjavik, Iceland, in a small park bordered by Gamla Hringbraut and Laufasvegur streets. Pomona has been mentioned in literature, including C.S. Lewis's children's book, Prince Caspian. This remarkable object is part of the "Scan The World" initiative, a collaborative effort to create a digital archive of fully printable sculptures from around the world for public access.