Terracotta statuette of a male flute-player
Unknown Artist
ca. 750–600 BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
H. 5 7/8 in. (14.9 cm)
Classification
Terracottas
Culture & Period
Cypriot · Cypro-Archaic I
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
Accession Number
74.51.1691
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming terracotta statuette depicts a male flute-player from Cyprus, dating to the Cypro-Aric I period (ca. 750–600 BCE). Standing just under 6 inches tall, the figure captures a musician in mid-performance, pipes to his lips, embodying the lively role of music in everyday Cypriot life. Crafted from fired clay—a favored medium in Cyprus for its accessibility and durability—this small votive or decorative object likely served in household shrines or tombs, reflecting the island's blend of local traditions with influences from Greece, the Near East, and Egypt. Terracotta figurines like t...