Terracotta head of a goddess
Unknown Artist
4th century BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
H. 3 9/16 in. (9.1 cm)
Classification
Terracottas
Culture & Period
Greek, Cypriot · Cypro-Classical II
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
Accession Number
74.51.1437
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate terracotta head of a, crafted in the 4th century BCE during's Cypro-Classical II period, us into the vibrant religious world of ancient Cypriot Greeks. Standing just 3 9/16 inches (9.1 cm) tall, the small-scale sculpture likely served as a votive offering household devotional object, common in sanctuaries dedicated to deities like Aphrodite, whose cult thrived on the island. Its Cypriot Greek origins reflect a cultural crossroads, blending indigenous traditions with emerging Classical Greek influences. Terracotta, fired clay molded or hand-formed, was an ideal medium for such ac...