GENERAL DESCRIPTION
One of the more enigmatic artifacts of the ancient Mediterranean world is this type of Cycladic marble figurine [see another in the Dallas Museum of Art's collection: 1982.292.FA], found mainly in western Anatolia or in the Aegean islands of the Cyclades. These abstract, mostly female figures dating from the 3rd millenium BCE display a remarkable purity of form, but their purpose is unknown. Originally, many of these objects were deposited lying on their backs in tombs or shrines, even though they are not usually displayed that way in museums. Although examples of the canonical types are known in ivory, bone, shell, clay, and metal, the primary material is coarse-grained marble, which is found on most Cycladic islands and is the dominant stone of some. The vast majority of recorded find spots are island graves.
The purpose of these figurines has been considered to be of a sexual nature, given their strong fertility elements. Others regard them as substitutes for human sacrifice, toys (although none have thus far been found in children's graves), underworld guides for the dead, mythical characters, or divinities, especially the Great Mother Goddess of fertility, although a number of the figures are male.
Adapted 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), 43.
NOTES
Provenance added to TMS, Gods Men Heros catalog entry added to TMS as a text entry
This is so long, I edited it down on 8/28/18. Almost all of the notes below were cut out. (HAB )
One of the more enigmatic artifacts of the ancient Mediterranean world is the type of marble figurine found mainly in western Anatolia or in the Aegean islands of the Cyclades. These starkly abstract human figures dating from the 3rd millenium BCE display a remarkable purity of form, but their purpose is unkown. Originally, many of these objects were deposited lying on their backs in tombs or shrines.
This figurine belongs to the Spedos variety of Early Cycladic marble sculpture. The lyre-shaped head, rounded chin, convex face, folded-arm pattern, and modeled waist of this example are attributes common to this group. Lack of distinction between the upper and lower legs is not a typical feature of the Spedos variety, but is more common to the Dokathismata variety, which appears to overlap in date with later examples of the Spedos variety. The clear modeling of the buttocks on this figure is an unusual feature in a Cycladic marble figurine.
This erect figure of Greek island marble depicts a naked female in a frontal pose.
Although marble figurines of human form are known from the Neolithic period in the Cyclades, the best-known types are from the Early Bronze Age, or the Early Cycladic period. The figurines, predominantly female, are generally upright (or reclining), even though they are not usually displayed that way in museums. They emerge in limited numbers in Early Cycladic I (EC I), reach their peak of production during EC II, are significantly reduced in number by EC III, and become virtually nonexistent by the Middle Cycladic period. Although examples of the canonical types are known in ivory, bone, shell, clay, and metal, the primary material is coarse-grained marble, which is found on most Cycladic islands and is the dominant stone of some.
Each argument, with its strengths and weaknesses, underscores our need for more precise information about these graceful and simplistic images that have much visual appeal.
This particular example of Cycladic sculpture typifies, in both form and subject, the classic expression of the human figure in Greek island art during the third millennium B.C.E. The head is lyre-shaped with the crest markedly broadened, and a strong vertical nose that bisects the convex curvature of the face. The arms of the figure are modeled and horizontally set; no indications of fingers are present. While the breasts are clearly indicated, the figure is not perfectly symmetrical as one breast is slightly higher than the other. Incising forms the abdominal and inguinal lines indicating the pubic triangle. The thighs are heavy and taper without disruption at the knee into the lower legs, and smooth feet lack indications of toes. The leg-cleft is unperforated and only slightly deeper than the incisions that form the pubic area. The leg-cleft is similar on the back of the figure, and the spine is rendered in a like manner. The buttocks are clearly modeled.
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PROVENANCE
Until 1992: Collection of Virginia Nick, Dallas, Texas [1]
From 1992: Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, Texas, gift of the above [2]
[1] See letter from DMA to Virginia Nick dated October 10, 1991 in Collection Records Object File (1991.2)
[2] See Acquisition Record (dated December 5, 1991) and Deed of Gift (dated January 29, 1992) in Collection Records Object File (1991.2)
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- Khan Academy~Watch a short video about Cycladic figurines, forgery, and their relation to modern art.
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General Description
One of the more enigmatic artifacts of the ancient Mediterranean world is this type of Cycladic marble figurine [see another in the Dallas Museum of Art's collection: 1982.292.FA], found mainly in western Anatolia or in the Aegean islands of the Cyclades. These abstract, mostly female figures dating from the 3rd millenium BCE display a remarkable purity of form, but their purpose is unknown. Originally, many of these objects were deposited lying on their backs in tombs or shrines, even though they are not usually displayed that way in museums. Although examples of the canonical types are known in ivory, bone, shell, clay, and metal, the primary material is coarse-grained marble, which is found on most Cycladic islands and is the dominant stone of some. The vast majority of recorded find spots are island graves.
The purpose of these figurines has been considered to be of a sexual nature, given their strong fertility elements. Others regard them as substitutes for human sacrifice, toys (although none have thus far been found in children's graves), underworld guides for the dead, mythical characters, or divinities, especially the Great Mother Goddess of fertility, although a number of the figures are male.
Adapted 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), 43.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
- Khan Academy~Watch a short video about Cycladic figurines, forgery, and their relation to modern art.
Notes
Provenance added to TMS, Gods Men Heros catalog entry added to TMS as a text entry
This is so long, I edited it down on 8/28/18. Almost all of the notes below were cut out. (HAB )
One of the more enigmatic artifacts of the ancient Mediterranean world is the type of marble figurine found mainly in western Anatolia or in the Aegean islands of the Cyclades. These starkly abstract human figures dating from the 3rd millenium BCE display a remarkable purity of form, but their purpose is unkown. Originally, many of these objects were deposited lying on their backs in tombs or shrines.
This figurine belongs to the Spedos variety of Early Cycladic marble sculpture. The lyre-shaped head, rounded chin, convex face, folded-arm pattern, and modeled waist of this example are attributes common to this group. Lack of distinction between the upper and lower legs is not a typical feature of the Spedos variety, but is more common to the Dokathismata variety, which appears to overlap in date with later examples of the Spedos variety. The clear modeling of the buttocks on this figure is an unusual feature in a Cycladic marble figurine.
This erect figure of Greek island marble depicts a naked female in a frontal pose.
Although marble figurines of human form are known from the Neolithic period in the Cyclades, the best-known types are from the Early Bronze Age, or the Early Cycladic period. The figurines, predominantly female, are generally upright (or reclining), even though they are not usually displayed that way in museums. They emerge in limited numbers in Early Cycladic I (EC I), reach their peak of production during EC II, are significantly reduced in number by EC III, and become virtually nonexistent by the Middle Cycladic period. Although examples of the canonical types are known in ivory, bone, shell, clay, and metal, the primary material is coarse-grained marble, which is found on most Cycladic islands and is the dominant stone of some.
Each argument, with its strengths and weaknesses, underscores our need for more precise information about these graceful and simplistic images that have much visual appeal.
This particular example of Cycladic sculpture typifies, in both form and subject, the classic expression of the human figure in Greek island art during the third millennium B.C.E. The head is lyre-shaped with the crest markedly broadened, and a strong vertical nose that bisects the convex curvature of the face. The arms of the figure are modeled and horizontally set; no indications of fingers are present. While the breasts are clearly indicated, the figure is not perfectly symmetrical as one breast is slightly higher than the other. Incising forms the abdominal and inguinal lines indicating the pubic triangle. The thighs are heavy and taper without disruption at the knee into the lower legs, and smooth feet lack indications of toes. The leg-cleft is unperforated and only slightly deeper than the incisions that form the pubic area. The leg-cleft is similar on the back of the figure, and the spine is rendered in a like manner. The buttocks are clearly modeled.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 1992: Collection of Virginia Nick, Dallas, Texas [1]
From 1992: Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, Texas, gift of the above [2]
[1] See letter from DMA to Virginia Nick dated October 10, 1991 in Collection Records Object File (1991.2)
[2] See Acquisition Record (dated December 5, 1991) and Deed of Gift (dated January 29, 1992) in Collection Records Object File (1991.2)
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