The Lady with the Parasol – on the Burial from Cologne, Severinstraße 129

Abstract

The fact that spindle and distaff are often discovered in woman’s graves invites us to interpret rod-shaped objects too hastily as tools for textile production. Indeed, the here presented and discussed objects from Cologne, Selongey and Milan are the remains of square parasols. According to antique authors, such shade-giving implements belonged to the repertoire of female status symbols.