Figurine, bust, male
Production date
0699 BCE-0600 BCE
Country
Cyprus
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Object detail
Description
Fragment of male terracotta figurine. Solid mould-made, hollow at the back, head and upper torso only, standing frontal, dressed in a chiton and fringed mantle and flat rolled head-dress. Right arm bent across chest and warpped within the fold of the mantle, left arm extended outside. Traces of small curls on forehead, large almond-shaped eyes, triangualr nose, straight-mouth and long triangular beard. Fine orange clay with small balck and white inclusions and traces of buff-brown slip. Broken at lower torso. Not well-preserved. Features are worn and indistinct (Webb, Jennifer M., 1997 "Corpus of Cypriote Antiquities", Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology, Vol. XX p.5)
Classification
ARCHAEOLOGY Cypriot
Production date
0699 BCE-0600 BCE
Production place
Measurements
L187mm x W90mm x D40mm
Media/Materials description
Pottery, fine orange clay with small black and white inclusions and traces of buff-brown slip
History and use
This worn figure belongs to a well known Assyrian type which reached Cyprus via Phoenician models. Characteristic is the heiratic attitude, the long pointed or rounded beard (usually with regular vertical striaions and painted black), shaven upper lip, elongated almond shaped eyes and conical headdress or flat rolled turban. These were male votaries, however they also appear in chariots and were exported to Rhodes and Samos.
People made pilgrimages to sanctuaries in order to perform ritual activities. They placed statues bearing their likeness, which, standing in for the person, could continually worship on their behalf. The person is represented by the long pointed or rounded beard, shaven upper lip, elongated almond shaped eyes and conical headdress or flat rolled turban. An entire community of worshippers was represented when statues were placed en-masse in sanctuaries.
People made pilgrimages to sanctuaries in order to perform ritual activities. They placed statues bearing their likeness, which, standing in for the person, could continually worship on their behalf. The person is represented by the long pointed or rounded beard, shaven upper lip, elongated almond shaped eyes and conical headdress or flat rolled turban. An entire community of worshippers was represented when statues were placed en-masse in sanctuaries.
Associated person
Registration number
H14892
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