SculptureGreek5th century BCE

Dancing Woman with Articulated Limbs

5th century BCE

Description

Head and torso of a dancing woman or girl with articulated limbs (sometimes called a “doll”); the articulated limbs are not extant. She wears a high, cylindrical headdress (a polos) over long hair that hangs over her shoulders. She is clothed in a short chiton or tunic. There are grooves present on the left outer edge and left bottom corner (front) of the torso/tunic, as well as on the right bottom corner (front). Additionally, there are shallow vertical indentations along the bottom “hem” of her tunic, perhaps indicating a fringe or a decorated hemline. Solid. Mold-made. The front is modeled, and the back is flat. Features are worn. Horizontal piercings in the shoulder and hips would have allowed the attachment of the limbs. (Legs would have been suspended between the three flanges at the bottom of the body.) The rightmost (her left) flange is chipped. Additionally, there is a vertical piercing in the top of the head/polos. Fine, well-levigated fabric of light reddish yellow clay. Some white slip/ground is present, especially on the left side of her torso and the right side of her face. No other coloration is visible. Dark accretion is present, particularly on the upper portion of the torso, neck, face, and polos (headdress). Said to have been found in a tomb near Troy.

Classification

Sculpture

Technique

Mold-made

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek

Period

Classical period

Century

5th century BCE