Harvard Art Museums > 2012.1.139: Votive Figurine of a Deer Sculpture Collections Search Exit Deep Zoom Mode Zoom Out Zoom In Reset Zoom Full Screen Add to Collection Order Image Copy Link Copy Citation Citation"Votive Figurine of a Deer , 2012.1.139,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Dec 22, 2024, https://hvrd.art/o/173988. Reuse via IIIF Toggle Deep Zoom Mode Download This object does not yet have a description. Identification and Creation Object Number 2012.1.139 Title Votive Figurine of a Deer Classification Sculpture Work Type sculpture Date mid 6th-early 5th century BCE Places Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Laconia Period Archaic period Culture Greek Persistent Link https://hvrd.art/o/173988 Physical Descriptions Medium Lead Technique Cast Dimensions 2.8 x 3.1 cm (1 1/8 x 1 1/4 in.) Provenance Recorded Ownership History Humfry Payne Collection (?-1936), England. [Galerie Gunter Puhze, Freiburg, Germany, 2001], sold; to The Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection, Department of the Classics, Harvard University (2001-2012), transfer; to the Harvard Art Museums, 2012. Acquisition and Rights Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Transfer from the Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection, Department of the Classics, Harvard University Accession Year 2012 Object Number 2012.1.139 Division Asian and Mediterranean Art Contact am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu Permissions The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request. Descriptions Description Flat lead figurine of a deer with legs bent out of shape; the antlers present on other examples appear to have broken off. The plain back of the figurine suggests that it was cast in a one-sided mold; surplus lead seeped out during the casting process and still lines the animal's contours. Commentary Small, flat figurines cast of lead were common dedications in the sanctuaries of Laconia, the territory of Sparta. Over 100,000 examples were found in the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia alone. Different types of figurines were mass-produced in one-sided molds with a plain back. They depict a winged goddess and other deities (such as Athena), warriors, women, animals, and various objects, such as wreaths and branches. Representations of deer became common in the 6th century BCE, almost certainly because of their affiliation with Artemis, goddess of the hunt. The ubiquity and often careless execution of the figurines indicate that they were affordable for a large section of the population. They thus reflect popular beliefs and practices. Publication History Melissa LaScaleia, "The Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia Revisited", Persephone (Fall 2002), Vol. 6, No. 1, 20-23 Related Works 2012.1.136 Shield from the Votive Figurine of a Warrior Sculpture 2012.1.137 Fragmentary Votive Figurine of a Warrior Sculpture 2012.1.133 Votive Figure of a Warrior with Helmet and Shield Sculpture 2012.1.134 Votive Figurine of a Woman Sculpture 2012.1.140 Votive Figurine of a Woman Sculpture 2012.1.141 Votive Figurine of a Warrior Sculpture 2012.1.142 Fragmentary Votive Figurine of a Winged Goddess Sculpture 2012.1.135 Votive Figurine of the Goddess Athena Sculpture 2012.1.138 Votive Figurine of a Woman Sculpture Verification Level This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
