Greek Terracotta Protome of a Woman in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, July 2007

Terracotta protome of a woman
Greek, Rhodian, early 5th century BC

Accession # 26.164.8

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 6th century BC. Many examples have been found in sanctuaries and in 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.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.