Articulated Figurine of a Female with Krotala
Not on view
This articulated figurine represents a young woman performing a dance – probably in a ritual context; this is suggested by krotala (clappers) held in her hands and her nudity, as by the fact that hundreds of such figurines were found in sanctuaries and likely served as votive offerings.
Terracotta figurines with movable limbs denote the idea of animating an inanimate object through articulation. In order to fully realize this potential, a figurine must be suspended – hence a suspension hole on top of its head; this would allow a figurine to move – even at the slightest current of air – as if on its own.
No image available
