Terracotta statuette fragment of a deer sacrificed at an altar to Artemis

Unknown

2nd century BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

This fragment shows a cult statue of Artemis on an altar holding a phiale and a bow. The head and neck of a sacrificial deer, as well as a hand holding a knife, appear at the left. Numerous complete examples of this well documented statuette type allow us to match the hand with the winged figure of Eros. He would have been depicted facing the viewer with his left knee in the small of the deer's back.

Artist

Unknown

Date

2nd century BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, Asia Minor

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of Joseph W. Drexel, 1889