Limestone votive statuette of a cow and calf
Unknown Artist
6th–4th century BCE
Medium
Limestone
Dimensions
H.: 7 3/4 x 9 1/4 x 3 in. (19.7 x 23.5 x 7.6 cm)
Classification
Stone Sculpture
Culture & Period
Cypriot · Archaic or Classical
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
Accession Number
74.51.2663
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming limestone votive statuette a cow tenderly nuzzling her calf, a poignant symbol of motherhood and fertility from ancient Cyprus. Crafted between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE during the Archaic or Classical, it measures a modest 7 3/4 x 9 1/4 x 3 inches, making it a portable offering for a sanctuary. Cypriot artisans excelled in limestone sculpture, a locally abundant material that allowed for detailed carving of naturalistic forms, blending Greek influences with Near Eastern motifs unique to the island's multicultural heritage. Votive statuettes like this were dedicated to deiti...