Terracotta statuette of a seated woman
Small figurines were made to be presented as votive gifts to a deity. It is not always clear whether they represent a god, a priest or priestess, or a person offering a gift. These rigid figures seated on thrones and wearing elaborate headdresses are probably goddesses. Hundreds of such statues were buried in trenches on the Akropolis after the Persians looted and burned Athens in 480 B.C., and it has been suggested that they represent an early cult statue of Athena.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta statuette of a seated woman
- Period: Archaic
- Date: late 6th–early 5th century BCE
- Culture: Greek, probably Boeotian
- Medium: Terracotta
- Dimensions: H. 6 1/8 in. (15.5 cm)
- Classification: Terracottas
- Credit Line: Gift of Louise Crane, in memory of her mother, Mrs. W. Murray Crane, 1980
- Object Number: 1980.303.5
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.