Head and neck of a marble figure

Unknown

2700–2300 BCE · Marble · Greek and Roman Art

Little is known about the role and meaning of these figures in Cycladic culture. Although they have been found almost exclusively in graves and placed on their backs, it is not clear whether they were made specifically for burials. Examples found in settlements and sanctuaries may have been held upright in social or religious activities, such as processions. As the majority of these figures are female, they are probably linked with the idea of fertility and reproduction.

Artist

Unknown

Date

2700–2300 BCE

Medium

Marble

Culture

Cycladic

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Bequest of Nanette B. Kelekian, 2020