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Partial Figure of a Pregnant Women

A work made of earthenware.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

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  • A work made of earthenware.

Date:

1000–300 BC

Artist:

Japan

About this artwork

This figurine (dogû) is clearly a female form, and judging from the swollen belly, it may be a representation of a pregnant woman. It is possible, therefore, that it was used in rituals to secure safe childbirth or as a prayer for rebirth. The piece is missing the head, one arm, and one leg, but this is not unusual for figurines of this period that were likely broken ritually. Many Jômon figurines contain significant linear or geometric surface patterning, though a small number, including this work, are more sculptural. Figurines of this kind tend to concentrate on the carefully modeled volume of the figure rather than on the lines on its surface.

Status

On View, Gallery 102

Department

Arts of Asia

Title

Partial Figure of a Pregnant Women

Place

Japan (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1000 BCE–300 BCE

Medium

Earthenware

Dimensions

14.7 × 6.9 × 3.8 cm (5 3/4 × 2 3/4 × 1 1/2 in.)

Credit Line

Purchased with Funds Provided by the Weston Foundation; Robert Allerton Trust

Reference Number

2009.628

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/200700/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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