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Limestone statue of a god

3rd century BCE
Not on view
The identity of this young plump figure with horns at his forehead and a lion in his right hand is uncertain. Although Herakles is usually shown with a lion, statues of the young Herakles are more likely to show him with the snake that he strangled while still in the cradle. Moreover, Herakles does not appear with animal horns. Possibly Bes, an Egyptian god with a lion's face, is shown here in a Cypriot adaptation. On Cyprus, Bes is sometimes shown with horns sprouting from his leonine head and holding a lion; this figure may be intended to show the deity in a youthful form.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Limestone statue of a god
  • Period: Hellenistic
  • Date: 3rd century BCE
  • Culture: Cypriot
  • Medium: Limestone
  • Dimensions: WebPub GR 2012 Cesnola: 23 1/2 × 9 1/8 × 5 1/4 in., 35 lb. (59.7 × 23.2 × 13.3 cm, 15.9 kg)
  • Classification: Stone Sculpture
  • Credit Line: The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
  • Object Number: 74.51.2747
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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Limestone statue of Aphrodite holding winged Eros, Limestone, Cypriot
Limestone statue of Aphrodite holding winged Eros
Cypriot
late 4th century BCE
Limestone Herakles, Limestone, Cypriot
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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Cypriot
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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