| Descriptive Attribute | Value(s) |
|---|---|
| Type | Male Votaries with Vegetal Wreaths and Fillets and Sculpted Votive Offerings |
| Title | Ram statuette |
| Excavation Unit | 24 |
| Stratigraphic Unit | 2408 |
| Context | Found in a disturbed context, within a modern looter’s pit (EU 24/SU 2408). |
| Current Location | Larnaka District Archaeological Museum, Cyprus |
| Material | Limestone |
| Height (cm) | 15.31 |
| Width (cm) | 12.89 |
| Date | 600 – 500 BCE |
| Thickness (cm) | 7.35 |
| Weight (kg) | 0.921 |
| Description | Fragmentary limestone ram broken below the torso; the torso, head, horns, and the upper leg of the front proper right leg are preserved. The end of the face, including the muzzle, is not preserved. The body of the ram is large and plump, especially in comparison to the smaller head. The features of the ram’s head (i.e., eyes, horns) sit slightly askew on either side, but are well articulated despite weathering. The prominent horns extend in a broad cover from the forehead to either side, framing the face of the ram. Oval- shaped ears are nestled within the curve of the horns. The incised eyes are roughly oval in shape. Patches of natural gray discoloration appear on the proper right side of the body. No evidence of pigment. |
| Commentary | Limestone and terracotta animals, whether depicted alone or with other animals, humans, or divinities, are ubiquitous in Cypriot sanctuaries—inanimate complements to the faunal remains that indicate a wide -use of animals as offerings (often depicted in statuary) for feasting and ritual activity. The pattern of breakage present along one side of AAP-AM-1380, as well as the slight tilt of the head, suggests that this representation of a ram was originally held against the chest by a votary’s chest (see, for example, XXXXX). In particular, the ram can be associated with power and fertility, shepherding and animal husbandry, as well as the rural landscape more generally. Beyond such pastoral connotations, however, the ram also signaled both royal and divine ideas as seen on coins of certain Cypriot kings (e.g., the sixth- and fifth-century BCE coins of Salamis;, see Hill 1904: pl. xiii, nos. 9-–10, such as a mid-fifth century BCE silver siglos of King Euanthes of Salamis) and in sculpted representations of gods (e.g., the Zeus-Ammon type, seen in AAP-AM-623 and AAP-AM-714; see Counts 2009). Antoine Hermary (1989a: 464, cat. no. 966) roughly dates a similar ram statuette from Golgoi-Ayios Photios in the Musée du Louvre to the sixth or fifth century BCE. The closest parallels to the Malloura example come from the Heraion of Samos, where several limestone rams of similar type and scale were discovered (Schmidt 1968: 66, pl. 118); two (C68 and C70) came from the ash layers associated with altars V and VI (prior to the so-called Rhoikos Altar, i.e., before 550 BCE). Based on these comparisons, it seems justified to date this piece within the sixth century BCE, although one must admit that the type would be entirely consistent with dedications up to and including the Hellenistic period. |
| Bibliography | Unpublished |
| Sketchfab Media URL |
Alternate link to 3D Model: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/aap-am-1380-bc5cf4ae3f8e47f48ff2839ebd151507
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| Descriptive Attribute | Value(s) |
|---|---|
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Consists of
Vocabulary: CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model (CRM) |
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Has type
Vocabulary: CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model (CRM) |
sculpture (visual works)
Vocabulary: Getty Art and Architecture Thesaurus Open Context References: sculpture (visual works) |
Suggested Citation
Derek Counts, Erin Averett, Kevin Garstki. (2020) "AAP-AM-1380 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/6641e60c-6491-483c-88c8-b52b1122dde8> ARK (Archive): https://n2t.net/ark:/28722/k28s52v3d
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