SculptureRoman3rd century CE

The Moon God Mên

3rd century CE

Description

This intact terracotta statuette depicts the moon god Mên on horseback. Mên sits on the back of the horse, turning his upper body to the right. He wears a Phrygian cap, a cloak over an elaborate tunic or segmented cuirass, and trousers. In his extended right hand is an offering bowl or patera. The ends of a crescent moon are visible behind his shoulders. The horse is shown with its left foreleg raised. It wears a simple bridle; there is a decorative band, perhaps part of a harness, across the chest, but no indication of a saddle. The horse's mane is wavy, in contrast to its tail, which is banded, and the hair of the god, which is depicted in straight strands in a style reminiscent of Alexander the Great. The statuette is rather stylized, with details like the eyes disproportionately large, and other details greatly simplified. Horse and rider are on a rectangular base, shown with a molded band at the top and bottom, perhaps in imitation of life-sized equestrian statue bases. The back of the statuette is relatively featureless, with only the folds of the cloak and details of the horse harness and statue base depicted. The statuette is hollow and was made with a two-part mold; a circular vent hole is visible on the back.

Classification

Sculpture

Technique

Mold-made

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Roman

Period

Roman Imperial period

Century

3rd century CE

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Ancient and Byzantine Art & Numismatics

Dimensions

17.2 x 10 x 3.4 cm (6 3/4 x 3 15/16 x 1 5/16 in.)

Provenance

[Robert Hecht, (by 1965)], sold; through [Sotheby's London, 17 May 1965, Lot 193]; to The Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection, Department of the Classics, Harvard University (1965-2012), transfer; to the Harvard Art Museums, 2012.