Terracotta jointed "doll"

Unknown

5th century BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

Many examples of such jointed figurines have been found in sanctuaries, burials, and coroplastic (terracotta) workshops. Their attire—a cylindrical polos (headdress) and a short tunic and shoes—seems to indicate that they are ritual dancers. Similarly dressed dancers on contemporary reliefs and on vases hold castanets, and some of the jointed figurines also hold cymbals or castanets. A small hole on the top of the head indicates that the figurine was meant to be suspended.

Artist

Unknown

Date

5th century BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, Corinthian

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1944