Department of Antiquities
Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology | |||
Presentations | |||
Ancient
Cyprus in the Ashmolean Museum |
Highlights of the Collection: Aphrodite, Female Figurines and Cyprus | |
Aphrodite, Female Figurines and Cyprus: Late Bronze Age Female Figurines (continued) |
More
naturalistic figurines are also found from the Late Bronze Age on Cyprus.
They are more like humans than the stylised bird-featured figurines
but they may represent the same fertility goddess, perhaps suggesting
different aspects of her character. This figurine is from Ayia Paraskevi
in the Nicosia district. Naturalistic figurines have been found in settlement,
burial and ritual assemblages. As with the other figurines, this could
mean that they were personal possessions used in religious circumstances
but also with a place in domestic situations. The figurine has lines
representing necklaces around her neck and also a piercing in her belly
button. Even in her most naturalistic representation, the Cypriot fertility
goddess still wears her jewellery. Perhaps jewellery was considered
a pivotal part of the ritual surrounding love and fertility, on a domestic
and religious level. |
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Image: Terracotta female figurine, from Ayia Paraskeui, purchased (AN1896.2) |
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