Limestone statue of a man holding a mask in the form of a bull's head

Cypriot

Not on view

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.

Limestone statue of a man holding a mask in the form of a bull's head, Limestone, Cypriot

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Limestone statue of a man holding a mask in the form of a bull's head, Limestone, Cypriot
Limestone statue of a man holding a mask in the form of a bull's head, Limestone, Cypriot
Limestone statue of a man holding a mask in the form of a bull's head, Limestone, Cypriot
Limestone statue of a man holding a mask in the form of a bull's head, Limestone, Cypriot

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