GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This kind of ceramic female figurine was quite common in Syria during the Bronze Age. The statuettes consist of standing frontal female figures that are nude, though usually wearing ornaments and headdresses. Features like ears, eyes, and navels may be indicated by incised circles. The high headdresses are also pierced with similar circles. The Dallas Museum of Art example has a pinched nose, a double-banded necklace, indications of a hip band or pelvic area, abbreviated triangular arms, legs separated by a groove, and slightly modeled toes. These common figurines were possibly votive offerings or amulets to a mother-goddess, and their form may have been influenced by cult statues in a temple. Many other examples indicate the nurturing female breasts more than the DMA piece does. The connections in form, and probably in meaning, between this little statuette and the DMA's two Cycladic figurines are apparent in the frontal pose and the strongly stylized forms of the female body.
Excerpt from
Anne R. Bromberg and Karl Kilinski II, Gods, Men, and Heroes: Ancient Art at the Dallas Museum of Art. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1996. 30.
NOTES
On April 24, 1987, former curator of Ancient Art from the Cleveland Museum of Art assessed this object (along with many other ancient objects) and of this piece (1974.81.FA) it was said: Arielle said this is a very ordinary kind of object; she would not object to displaying it if it is the only one, but there are many which exist still.
need to add provenance to and check TMS
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
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RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 1970: Elie Borowski, Basel, Switzerland [3]
From 1970: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Foundation for the Arts Collection [1], [2]
[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983
[2] The Foundation for the Arts is a non-profit corporation created as a title-holding entity to serve the people of Dallas but to operate independently of the City. The Dallas Museum of Art (at its own cost) is responsible for the care, storage, insurance, conservation, and maintenance of the collection, and agrees to maintain the highest museum standards in the management and handling of the Foundation's collection. The title to all works of art purchased or otherwise acquired by the Foundation for the Arts is retained by the Foundation.
[3] See object card in Collections Records Object File 1974.81.FA, in the purchase price line it lists Borowski and the year 1970, even though the accession number begins with 1974
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Apply to objects where number equals 1974.81.FA
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General Description
This kind of ceramic female figurine was quite common in Syria during the Bronze Age. The statuettes consist of standing frontal female figures that are nude, though usually wearing ornaments and headdresses. Features like ears, eyes, and navels may be indicated by incised circles. The high headdresses are also pierced with similar circles. The Dallas Museum of Art example has a pinched nose, a double-banded necklace, indications of a hip band or pelvic area, abbreviated triangular arms, legs separated by a groove, and slightly modeled toes. These common figurines were possibly votive offerings or amulets to a mother-goddess, and their form may have been influenced by cult statues in a temple. Many other examples indicate the nurturing female breasts more than the DMA piece does. The connections in form, and probably in meaning, between this little statuette and the DMA's two Cycladic figurines are apparent in the frontal pose and the strongly stylized forms of the female body.
Excerpt from
Anne R. Bromberg and Karl Kilinski II, Gods, Men, and Heroes: Ancient Art at the Dallas Museum of Art. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1996. 30.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
On April 24, 1987, former curator of Ancient Art from the Cleveland Museum of Art assessed this object (along with many other ancient objects) and of this piece (1974.81.FA) it was said: Arielle said this is a very ordinary kind of object; she would not object to displaying it if it is the only one, but there are many which exist still.
need to add provenance to and check TMS
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 1970: Elie Borowski, Basel, Switzerland [3]
From 1970: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Foundation for the Arts Collection [1], [2]
[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983
[2] The Foundation for the Arts is a non-profit corporation created as a title-holding entity to serve the people of Dallas but to operate independently of the City. The Dallas Museum of Art (at its own cost) is responsible for the care, storage, insurance, conservation, and maintenance of the collection, and agrees to maintain the highest museum standards in the management and handling of the Foundation's collection. The title to all works of art purchased or otherwise acquired by the Foundation for the Arts is retained by the Foundation.
[3] See object card in Collections Records Object File 1974.81.FA, in the purchase price line it lists Borowski and the year 1970, even though the accession number begins with 1974
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VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
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1974.81.FA
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object_notes_4_a-0299.xml.nores