Marble statuette of a woman

Hellenistic Greek, 200-100 BC
Said to be from Lato, Crete

Small scale statuettes became extremely popular during the Hellenistic period and were made in a variety of materials including precious metals, stone, terracotta, and bronze. Many were dedicated in sanctuaries or left as offerings in graves. Others have been found in private houses, where they may have been ornaments or offerings in a household shrine. The practice of displaying objects such as this in the home reflects the increase in private wealth during the period.

The statuettes may represent deities, mythological characters, various generic figure types or in some cases small-scale portraits of individuals. This extremely well designed and carved statuette shows an unidentified female figure moving rapidly forwards, either dancing or running. The dynamic twisting of her upper body has caused her chiton (tunic) to slip from her right shoulder, exposing her breast. The figure is further animated by the sweeping folds of her himation (cloak), worn around her hips and slung over her left arm. The deeply rendered folds of this garment contrast effectively with the clinging drapery around the stomach and right leg.