Terracotta statuette of a siren

Greek

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 152

Sirens are mythical creatures famous in antiquity for their song, which lured sailors to their death. Sanctuaries to the sirens are known to have existed in parts of South Italy and Sicily, as the geographer Strabo and other ancient writers tell us. This large, hand-modeled sculpture with applied decoration may well have been a votive offering at such a sanctuary.

Terracotta statuette of a siren, Terracotta, Greek

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Terracotta statuette of a siren, Terracotta, Greek
Terracotta statuette of a siren, Terracotta, Greek

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