Female Statuette

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Female Statuette

Place of OriginIran, likely Amlash

DateIron Age I-II, about 1000-900 BCE

Dimensions18 1/4 × 6 × 4 1/4 in. (46.4 × 15.2 × 10.8 cm)

MediumEarthenware with incised decoration

ClassificationSculpture

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1987.196

On View

Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 02, Classic

Label TextFlourishing between roughly 1300 and 800 BCE, "Amlash" refers to ceramic vessels, bronze tools, and anthropomorphic or zoomorphic figurines recovered from burial sites in northern Iran’s Caspian region; though named after the modern town of Amlash, the term encompasses material from surrounding areas and is largely known through the antiquities market rather than systematic excavation. Because the Amlash culture left no written records, little is known about why ceramic figures like this one were made or how they were used. Several such figures have been excavated in tombs on raised platforms, perhaps altars, so it is possible they were dedications to a fertility deity. Because they are hollow, they presumably were used as containers. The holes pierced in the ears were probably intended to insert jewelry.Published References"Museum and departmental announcements," Newsletter, Midwest Art History Society, no. 15A, Spring, 1988, p. 9.

Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo Treasures, Toledo, 1995, p. 35, repr. (col.).

Fehérvári, Geza, et al., Art of the Eastern world, London, 1996, p. 18, repr. p. 19, (col.).

Comparative ReferencesSee also Fukai, S., Ancient Persian Pottery, Tokyo, pls. 9-12.

cf. Pandora, E., The Art of Ancient Iran, New York, 1962, pp. 90-103, esp. fig. 65.

cf. Ghirshman, R., The Arts of Ancient Iran, New York, 1964, pp. 31-39, esp. fig. 32.

cf. Amiet, P., Art of the Ancient Near East, New York, 1980, pp. 200, 221, pl. 94.

cf. Moorey, P.R.S., E. Bunker, E. Porada, and G. Markoe, Ancient Bronzes, Ceramics adn Seals, The Nasli M. Heeramaneck Collection of Ancient Near Eastern, Central Asiatic, and European Art, Los Angeles, 1981, p. 128, no. 727.

cf. Lawton, Thomas, et al., Asian Art in the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington, D.C., 19878, p. 32, no. 6.