Votive (Gift) in the Shape of a Woman's Head

about 500 BCE

Etruscan; possibly Veii

Supplicants placed votive heads in temples to accompany requests and offerings of thanks to the gods. Artisans used molds to produce images of both men and women. On finer examples, such as this head, a pointed tool was used to refine elements of the face and hair before the object was fired in the kiln. Traces of pigment suggest that the hair was originally painted bright red. Earrings once hung from holes in the ears.

Status: On View, Gallery 151
Department: Arts of the Ancient Mediterranean and Byzantium

Culture: Ancient Etruscan
Title: Votive (Gift) in the Shape of a Woman's Head
Place: Veio (Object made in)
Date: 500 BCE
Medium: terracotta, pigment
Dimensions: 26.5 × 22 × 18 cm (10 1/2 × 8 1/2 × 7 1/4 in.)
Credit Line: Katherine K. Adler Memorial Fund
Reference Number: 1975.342
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