Rare Cypriot Limestone Statue Fragment - Male Votary

Ancient Greece, Cyprus, Cypriot culture, Archaic period, ca. mid to late 6th century BCE. A finely preserved, hand-carved limestone votary fragment depicting the upper half of a robed, beardless male figure holding his left arm to his side and his right holding the left interior fringe of the robe. The man stands with an upright posture as was customary for votaries and has sloping shoulders that taper inward to form the thick neck. The stylized visage peers forward with almond-shaped eyes and has a broad nose, full lips with recessed corners, rounded cheeks, and gently cupped ears, all beneath a simple bag wig. Traces of red pigment on the body and neckline suggest this figure was at one time painted with vibrant pigments. The ancients placed figural statues of votaries in temples as acts of supplication to deities. This is quite a rare example as Cypriot stone figural sculptures are exceedingly difficult to find. Size: 2.8" W x 4.9" H (7.1 cm x 12.4 cm); 7.2" H (18.3 cm) on included custom stand.

For a stylistically similar example with fewer areas of fine detailing, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 74.51.2548.

Provenance: ex-private Belgian collection, acquired in the 1960s

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#153422
Condition Report: This is a fragment of a larger votary statue; losses to legs and lower half of body as shown. Abrasions and nicks to body, arms, neck, and head, with softening to some finer details, and fading to original pigmentation, otherwise intact and very good. Nice earthen deposits throughout, and faint remains of original pigment on body and head.