Pomona

myminifactory

The rustic waterfall in the park at Marly features a statue created between 1706 and 1709. From 1801 to 1877, this statue was located within the Château de Malmaison. In 1897, it was moved to the gardens of the Ministère des Affaires Etrangères, where it remained until 1993. Pomona is a goddess revered in ancient Roman mythology for her abundance and fertility. Her name originates from the Latin word "pomum," which translates to fruit or orchard produce. Specifically, she was associated with orchard fruits. According to myth, Pomona was a wood nymph who resisted the affections of Silvanus and Picus, woodland gods, but eventually married Vertumnus after being tricked by him while he was disguised as an elderly woman. Together, they celebrated a festival on August 13th. Her priest was known as the flamen Pomonalis, and her symbol was the pruning knife. The myth attributed to Ovid tells of Pomona's love life and her association with fruit trees, gardens, and orchards. Unlike many other Roman deities, she lacks a Greek counterpart, although she is often linked to Demeter. Her primary role is watching over and protecting fruit trees as they grow, rather than being directly involved in harvesting fruits. In art, she is commonly depicted holding a platter of fruit or a cornucopia.