Plaque with two women, ca. 650600 B.C.; Archaic
Greek
Ivory; H. 5 3/8 in. (13.64 cm)
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917 (17.190.73)
Greek
Ivory; H. 5 3/8 in. (13.64 cm)
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917 (17.190.73)
This plaque represents the daughters of King Proitos of Argos. Having offended Dionysos, the god of wine (or, in other versions of the myth, the goddess Hera), they were driven mad and committed violent and unseemly acts until they were healed by the seer Melampos. Here, in their madness, they have unpinned their clothes and stand partially naked.



















