Cypriot Terracotta Model of a Shrine in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, July 2010

Title: Terracotta model of a shrine

Medium; Technique: Terracotta; hand-made

Culture: Cypriot

Period: Cypro-Archaic II

Date: ca. 600–480 B.C.

Dimensions: H. 3 15/16 in. (10 cm)

Credit Line: The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76

Accession Number: 74.51.1754

On View


Description:

The model originally had pilasters on either side of the opening. The vertical form inside is an aniconic representation of the fertility goddess Astarte. Similar depictions are known from the Levant and Cyprus. Model shrines began to be made in Cyprus during the Chalcolithic period and, due to Phoenician influence, were produced in particular quantity during the Archaic period. All of the excavated examples come from tombs.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/Works_of_Art/collection_database/greek_...