Standing Male Figure of Spike Type

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Artist
Name	Unknown
Basic Info
Alternative Title	Male Figure
Period	Hittite Empire period
Created in	Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, Anatolia
Century	2nd millennium BCE
Culture	Syro-Hittite
Dimensions	6.3 x 1.8 x 1.5 cm (2 1/2 x 11/16 x 9/16 in.)
Harvard Museum
Department	Department of Ancient and Byzantine Art & Numismatics
Division	Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact	am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Context

This statuette consists of a round head atop a pointed peg-like body that tapers to the bottom. It is uncertain whether the end was broken or was intended to bifurcate into tiny feet. A pair of arms extends horizontally forward from the shoulders. The large head consists of a prominent nose and chin and two pellet-shaped eyes in relief, which are flanked by prominent oval tabs representing ears that bend forward on either side of the head. The top of the head ends in a pointed conical shape. 
This figure, with its large head, prominent nose, eyes and ears, and pointed head or cap, characterizes yet another variation of the pointed-body type of Syro-Hittite votive image; it probably represents a deity.

David G. Mitten

TechnicalDetails

Technical Observations

The statuette is a solid cast. The lower portion of the body below the arms appears to have been worked by hot working, cold working, or both to form the pointed tip. The statuette is largely intact with some damage to the bottom and the top of the head. The patina is a smooth brown with areas of green corrosion, and there are tan burial deposits on most green areas.
 
Carol Snow (submitted 2002)

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Louise M. and George E. Bates