Standing Female Figure with Beak Nose

1 of 2

Artist
Name	Unknown
Basic Info
Alternative Title	Female Figure with Beak Nose
Period	Hittite Empire period
Created in	Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, Anatolia
Century	2nd millennium BCE
Culture	Syro-Hittite
Dimensions	3.6 x 1.5 cm (1 7/16 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

The miniature statuette consists of a cylindrical body rising from a conical base with a flat bottom. Two small arms project diagonally outward from the shoulders. A large head with a prominent beak nose and two deeply recessed eyes extending to the sides of the head complete the figure. The base of a small projection rises from the top of the head. The back of the head is rounded. There are no other surface features. 
This miniature statuette of indeterminate gender is clearly a votive offering. The form of the head relates it closely to 1992.256.42 and 1992.256.46.

David G. Mitten

TechnicalDetails

Chemical Composition

Technical Observations

The statuette is a solid cast. It was possibly cast upside down in a two-part mold, with some working done after casting to remove flaws and to shape the piece further. It is intact except for a loss at the top of the head. It was possibly overcleaned. The surface is coppery brown with a few spots of red and green corrosion. Black and tan burial deposits are visible in low areas. 
 
Carol Snow (submitted 2002)

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