Works of Art
Early Greek Mycenaean Terracotta ´Psi´ Idol
Period: 1300 - 1230 century B.C.
Culture: Early Greek
Category: Array
Dimensions: Height: 10cm
Price: CHF 23000, USD 23000
Provenance: Ex-British private collection, collected in the 19th century.
Description
This statuette, representing an abstract female figure, or idol/goddess, is also known as ´PSI idol´. She is wearing a flaring polos/headdress with her arms upraised. The conical body is hollow and painted in orange-brown colour with striped upper garment and a flaring skirt. Her flat head and nose were made by pinching the clay between the forefingers.
These figures began to appear during the 15th century B.C. in Mycenaean sanctuaries and tombs. They classified according to the letter of the Greek alphabet that they represent: statuettes in Psi (Y, as this one), Phi (F, with a circular body) or in Tau (T as the shape created by the open arms). According to come archeologists, these representations are not without any connection with the Neolithic Mother-goddess, and as such, should be linked to the cults and rituals related to fertility.