Ancient CyprusAncient Cyprus
Temple boy, Classical Cypriot statue
Temple boy, Classical Cypriot, c. 450–400 BC. Vienna Museum, Antikensammlung, I 630.© Kunsthistorisches Museum

Classical

Temple boy

Temple boy The head with the overly extended back of the head belongs to a genre of votive statuettes characteristic of Cyprus, which are referred to as temple boys and in large numbers from the 5th to the 2nd century BC.Were consecrated in the sanctuaries.The statuettes, mainly made of limestone, but also from clay, show boys that are crouched on the floor, mostly dressed, but with exposed genital, animals or toys holding in the hands, which are interpreted as representations of the victims.They are certainly related to a cult of fertility.Bernhard-Walcher u.Collection catalogs of the KHM Vol. 2, Vienna: 1999 H. 9,5 cm

Classification

Object type
Stone sculpture
Material
StoneLimestone
Period
probablyIron AgeCypro-Classical
Date
450 - 400 BC
Place of production
Cyprus

Browse the catalogue by ware, shape, period and more →

Collection

Vienna Museum

Provenance

  • Millosicz, Georg von, Vienna;1890 purchase from the estate

Identifiers

Accession no.
Antikensammlung, I 630, Vienna Museum

Corrections and additions

Do you know this object?

We are always looking for more of an object's history: who owned it, where it was sold or shown, and where it was published.

Missing from this record

  • No publication recorded

We would like to hear about

  • Earlier owners, sales or exhibitions
  • Publications that illustrate or mention it
  • Where it is now, if it has moved
  • Better photographs, or a close parallel
  • A mistake in what we say about it
Write to us

or alexis@ancientcyprus.com

Messages are read by us alone and kept confidential, unless the law requires otherwise. Tell us if you would like to be thanked by name on the page.

Similar pieces