Limestone statue of a woman
Unknown Artist
early 6th century BCE
Medium
Limestone
Dimensions
WebPub GR 2012 Cesnola: 30 × 4 × 7 1/2 in., 20.5 lb. (76.2 × 10.2 × 19.1 cm, 9.3 kg)
Classification
Stone Sculpture
Culture & Period
Cypriot · Archaic
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
Accession Number
74.51.2541
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant limestone statue of a woman crafted by an unknown Cypriot artist in the early 6 century BCE, stands as a captivating example of Archaic-period sculpture from ancient Cyprus. Measuring about 30 inches tall, the slender figure is adorned with intricate earrings and necklaces, of the era's fascination with jewelry that symbolized status and beauty. Carved from local limestone—a durable medium favored for its workability—this piece exemplifies the Cypriot tradition of monumental stone figures, blending influences from neighboring Greek, Near Eastern, and Egyptian cultures. During Cyp...