SculptureGreek5th century BCE

Dancing Woman with Articulated Limbs

5th century BCE

Description

Mostly complete figurine with worn features and some dark accretions. Proper right hand is missing. A dancing woman or girl with articulated limbs. She wears a polos (or cylindrical headdress) over long, loose hair that falls down the sides of her neck to the back. Long triangular face with large eyes, and a long thin neck. She wears a short chiton or tunic with decoration in the form of short, vertical indentations at the hem (perhaps a fringe). Her arms and legs, which were made separately from the body, are narrow, simply formed, and straight. Proper left hand is open with straight fingers. Feet seem bare and point down slightly. Would have been originally painted, but only small traces of white ground are extant. Solid. Mold-made body with modeled front and flat back. Handmade arms and legs, with incised detail. Shoulders and hips are pierced horizontally for attachment of the arms and legs. A larger piercing at the top of the head (off-center) must have held a peg attached to string that would have allowed the handler to dangle the figurine and make her dance. Alternatively, the figurine can be handled with the thumb and index finger placed around the waist (which is flat and smooth); this results in the arms being held aloft. Clay is light reddish yellow, finely levigated, with no evident inclusions. Medium to hard-fired.

Classification

Sculpture

Technique

Mixed technique

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek

Period

Classical period

Century

5th century BCE

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Ancient and Byzantine Art & Numismatics

Dimensions

13 × 3 cm (5 1/8 × 1 3/16 in.) Height includes the legs.

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