Bichrome Goddess Torch-holder

Pottery torch-holder in the form of a female, possible a goddess; handmade body with mouldmade face; exaggerated anatomical features such as over-large head, right arm holding a ring-socket double the size of the left, and face with huge eyes and prominent eyebrows; the hair, formed from applied pellets of clay arranged in parallel waves, falls down on each side to the shoulder ending with an inturned spiral; a red fillet binds together the waves of hair, above which is a diadem of eight applied rosettes painted in black; the figure is wearing a short, plain red tunic with short sleeves, decorated at the shoulder with a large rosette on each side and in the power part with bands of guilloche-pattern and zig-zags, the collar is a truncated V-shape and frames a necklace of small oval red patches; breasts and genitals are indicated through the clothing; figure is attached to a large oval backing-plate stepped out at the back to support the feet and pierced at the top for suspension; pinkish buff clay (some mica) painted in black and red in Bichrome technique.

Dimensions: Height: 40 centimetres

Object Type: torch-holder

Ware: Bichrome Ware (Bichrome IV/V)

Techniques: painted; handmade; mould-made; pierced

Archaic II

1907,1026.1