Terracotta protome of a woman

early 5th century BCE

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 156

This type of female protome with a narrow ovoid face and a thick veil falling behind the ears seems to have originated on the island of Rhodes during the sixth century B.C. Many examples have been found in sanctuaries and tombs there and in the Rhodian colonies on Sicily. This protome comes from a tomb at Sardis, the capital of the kingdom of Lydia, located inland from the west coast of Asia Minor. Traces of red, blue, and black pigment remain.

Artwork Details

Overview

References

Title: Terracotta protome of a woman
Period: Archaic
Date: early 5th century BCE
Culture: Greek, Rhodian
Medium: Terracotta
Dimensions: H. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm)
Classification: Terracottas
Credit Line: Gift of The American Society for the Excavation of Sardis, 1926
Object Number: 26.164.8
Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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