Limestone statue of a man holding a mask in the form of a bull's head
From the Late Bronze Age onward bull's heads played a role in certain religious rituals on Cyprus. Actual skulls with openings at the back to be worn as masks, terracotta bull's heads, and figures wearing bull's heads as masks have been found on the island, suggesting that some deity was worshiped in this manner. This statue probably represents a priest holding such a mask, which he would have worn during some solemn rite, perhaps for a god associated with fertility.
Artwork Details
- Title: Limestone statue of a man holding a mask in the form of a bull's head
- Period: Classical
- Date: 2nd half of 4th century BCE
- Culture: Cypriot
- Medium: Limestone
- Dimensions: Overall: 63 × 23 × 14 in., 731 lb. (160 × 58.4 × 35.6 cm, 331.6 kg)
- Classification: Stone Sculpture
- Credit Line: The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
- Object Number: 74.51.2463
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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late 4th century BCE
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ca. 530–520 BCE
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early 5th century BCE
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mid–1st century BCE
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early 6th century BCE
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