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Female Statuette

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Female Statuette
Image Not Available for Female Statuette

Female Statuette

Place of OriginThe region of 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
Collections
  • Decorative Arts
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.

Label TextBecause 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.

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