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Descriptive Attribute Value(s)
Type Warriors, Horses, and Chariots
Title Charioteer
Excavation Unit 36
Stratigraphic Unit 3634
Context Found in the construction fill of the hard-packed floor layer associated with the Hellenistic-Roman phase of the sanctuary (EU 36/SU 3634).
Current Location Larnaka District Archaeological Museum, Cyprus
Material Terracotta
Height (cm) 16.6
Width (cm) 4.0
Date 600 – 480 BCE
Thickness (cm) 3.5
Weight (kg) 0.112
Description Handmade charioteer with a conical helmet, originally from a chariot model; missing both arms below shoulders and broken at attachment point at bottom. The body is an elongated cylinder, with no feet, legs, or garment detailed (perhaps it was originally painted). The bottom of the cylindrical body was originally attached directly to the chariot box floor; discoloration along the bottom half of the front (reddish yellow, 7.5YR 7/6) reveals the point of attachment at the front of the chariot. The back proper left side of the cylindrical torso has broken areas where the figure originally attached to another passenger. Both arms are outstretched, suggesting the charioteer was holding the reins. A thick neck transitions without shoulders to the arms. The face is broad and cylindrical with small circles for ears applied on the sides. The facial features are not modeled and were likely originally painted, with the exception of a large, applied nose (slight traces of dark red pigment preserved). The chin projects forward slightly, indicating a small beard. Faint traces of eyes are outlined with black pigment and black dot pupils are visible. The conical helmet has a pronounced vertical spike that sits atop the head. Shoulder-length hair flares out in a triangular pattern to either side of the neck beneath the ears. Fabric is very pale brown (10YR 8/3) with medium dark red and purple inclusions.
Commentary The break patterns of AAP-AM-3535 indicate that this figurine was originally part of a chariot group with multiple passengers. There are several examples of handmade military chariot models with multiple passengers wearing a variety of headgear from the Malloura sanctuary (e.g., AAP-AM-589+1193; AAP-AM-1218+1459+2007), as well as from sanctuaries throughout the island (especially prevalent at sanctuaries of male deities). AAP-AM-3535 wears a type of helmet consisting of a small cap extending upward into a straight vertical spike, with or without cheekpieces, that was likely made of metal (see discussion in Karageorghis 1993: 86–87, large scale examples from Ayia Irini, 20–21, cat. nos. 43, figs. 9–10, 12; Törnkvist 1972: 22, 26, fig. 26). The closest parallels to AAP-AM-3535 include handmade chariot groups from Ayia Irini and Meniko-Litharkes (Karageorghis 1995: 108–10, cat. nos. 4–6, 9–10, 11, 13), although the Malloura examples represent a distinctive local style.
Bibliography Averett 2011: 138, fig. 10.5
Sketchfab Media URL
AAP-AM-3535-model
Suggested Citation

Derek Counts, Erin Averett, Kevin Garstki. (2020) "AAP-AM-3535 from Europe/Cyprus/Athienou-Malloura". In Visualizing Votive Practice: Exploring Limestone and Terracotta Sculpture from Athienou-Malloura through 3D Models. Derek B. Counts, Erin Walcek Averett, Kevin Garstki, Michael Toumazou (Ed). Released: 2020-07-28. Open Context. <https://opencontext.org/subjects/2697577f-78cd-4b82-89e7-253f3f036d4f> ARK (Archive): https://n2t.net/ark:/28722/k2377q136

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