Ancient CyprusAncient Cyprus
Terracotta head with wreath, Archaic II Cypriot statue
Terracotta head with wreath, Archaic II Cypriot, c. 600–480 BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art, 74.51.1451.Open Access by the MET

Archaic II

Terracotta head with wreath

The head originally wore a large wreath that is now mostly broken off. In Cypriot limestone sculpture, representations of wreathed figures—usually male—are one of the most common types. They probably have to do with observances connected with fertility. This head is a fine example in terracotta; it would have been part of a full-length statue. H. 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm)

Classification

Object type
Terracotta sculpture
Material
Clay
Period
Iron AgeCypro-ArchaicCypro-Archaic II
Date
600 - 480 BC
Place of production
probablyCyprus
Findspot
Idalion

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Provenance

  • From CyprusSaid to be from Idalion (Potamia)

References

Identifiers

Accession no.
74.51.1451, Metropolitan Museum of Art
In catalogues
  • Myres 1914, no. 1459
  • Karageorghis 2016, no. 70

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