Female Head from a Votive Statuette
c. 2600 BCE-2400 BCE
Description
Head broken off at neck. The hair, falling in triple strands on the forehead and sides, is arranged to form a circular roll around the top of the head to the back. The eyes are hollowed for inlay. Nose and chin are damaged and overall there are surface abrasions. The head is probably from a votive statue, similar to those found as part of the sculpture hoard from the Abu-Temple at Tell Asmar, and is likely to have performed a similar function. Votive statues varied in size and shape and were placed in temples, buried under the floor or built into the shrine. The figures, often shown making a gesture of prayer, were intended to represent the worshipper before the god.
Dimensions
Height: 4.8 cm (1 7/8 in.)
Related Artworks
View MoreSoapstone with gilt bronze band
16th centuryGermanWood box containing various archival materials
21st centuryPortuguesePlaster
Garnet crystal
2nd-3rd century CERomanGilded brass with silver inserts
16th centuryItalianTerracotta with varnish
17th-18th centuryItalianWood with traces of polychromy
8th centuryJapaneseTerracotta
2nd-3rd century CERomanTerracotta
4th-1st century BCEGreekPlaster
20th centuryGermanLeaded bronze
5th century BCEEtruscanTerracotta, mold made
5th century BCEGreek