A terracotta statue of a person standing on a stone block. They wear a cloth that covers their whole body and head with only their eyes showing.
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

A terracotta statue of a person standing upright on a stone block with a white background. The statue is tan and has brown and white discoloration throughout. They face the right and both of their arms are bent upward. They wear a draped cloth that covers their whole body and head with only their eyes showing. Their feet peek out from under the cloth.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1916.352
Title
Veiled Dancer
Classification
Sculpture
Work Type
statuette, sculpture
Date
400-300 BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Boeotia
Period
Classical period, Late, to Early Hellenistic
Culture
Greek
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/292479

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Terracotta, remains of heavy white slip, traces of paint
Technique
Mold-made
Dimensions
21.3 x 9.8 cm (8 3/8 x 3 7/8 in.)
Base: 7.3 x 4.7 cm (2 7/8 x 1 7/8 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Edward P. Bliss; bequeathed to Fogg Art Museum, 1916.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Edward P. Bliss
Accession Year
1916
Object Number
1916.352
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Veiled dancer on platform. Clad in long, lose himation with “tegidion” veil partially covering face. Chiton visible beneath hem of himation, both feet visible beneath chiton. Dancing, with left foot crossed over right, right hand touching right shoulder, left hand raised to shoulder-height. Folds of drapery rather schematic, radiating from shoulders. Rounded platform or stage, tilted forward, with plain front.

Very similar to 1919.519, but not identical; smaller, head slightly more tilted, lines sharper, differently-shaped base.

Constructed in single mold, with back section pressed on, slashed away to form rough firing hole. Much surviving white slip. Red ochre pigment on base, Egyptian Blue on base and chiton.

Hard, yellowish brown clay; powdery surface.

Publication History

  • [Reproduction Only], Persephone, (Fall 2006).

Exhibition History

  • 32Q: 3440 Middle East, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/04/2021 - 12/13/2021

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