Detail of a Byzantine Egyptian Statuette of a Woman in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Oct. 2007

Statuette of a Woman
Painted terracotta, partially restored face
Byzantine, said to be from Hermopolis Magna (now Ashmunein, Egypt)
Made 400-500 AD

Accession # 12.185.4

Found in a tomb, the brightly painted statuette displays typical female attire. Under a sheer overgarment indicated in gray paint, the woman wears an elaborate tunic with richly colored clavi (bands) extending to her feet. Metallic paint is also used to show that the cross around her neck is of gold.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.