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Limestone priest

end of the 6th century BCE
Not on view
The base and feet are modern; the bird is heavily restored and probably does not belong to he sculpture. The tresses on the shoulders, draping of the garments, and slight smile indicate the progressive influence of eastern Greek sculpture on that of Cyprus during he sixth century B.C. he figure's headgear, however, demonstrates the persistence of indigenous traditions. Indeed, here it is particularly remarkable, with the vertical zones of lotus motifs and the head of a bull at the top. Traces of pigment indicate that the figure was once painted. On his left shoulder are remains of a Cypriot syllabic inscription that have been read as "of the Paphian Goddess." The figure is certainly a priest of a long-lived fertility goddess who became associated with the Greek Aphrodite.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Limestone priest
  • Period: Archaic
  • Date: end of the 6th century BCE
  • Culture: Cypriot
  • Medium: Limestone
  • Dimensions: 85 1/2 × 27 × 15 in., 1044 lb. (217.2 × 68.6 × 38.1 cm, 473.6 kg)
  • Classification: Stone Sculpture
  • Credit Line: The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
  • Object Number: 74.51.2466
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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Limestone Herakles
Cypriot
ca. 530–520 BCE
Limestone statue of a youth, Limestone, Cypriot
Limestone statue of a youth
Cypriot
early 5th century BCE
Limestone head of beardless male votary, Limestone, Cypriot
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mid–1st century BCE
Limestone head of a bearded man, Limestone, Cypriot
Limestone head of a bearded man
Cypriot
early 6th century BCE

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