Limestone statuette of a male votary (worshipper)
Unknown Artist
mid-6th century BCE
Medium
Limestone
Dimensions
WebPub GR 2012 Cesnola: 10 1/2 × 5 1/2 × 3 1/2 in., 4 lb. (26.7 × 14 × 8.9 cm, 1.8 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
74.51.2552
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming limestone statuette depicts a male votary, or worshipper, from ancient Cyprus during the Archaic period (mid-6th BCE). Standing just over 10 inches tall, the figure embodies the rigid, frontal pose typical of Cypriot votive sculptures, often dedicated in sanctuaries to honor deities. The inclusion of goats—hinted at in its motifs—likely symbolizes pastoral life, fertility, or offerings to gods like those associated with agriculture and herds, reflecting Cyprus's blend of Greek, Near Eastern, and local influences. Carved from local limestone, a favored medium for its workability ...