Female pre-Cycladic idol from the Cyclades in the Aegean. This cultural cycle covers the period from about 5,000 B.C. to 2,800 B.C., i.e. up to the beginning of the more well-known Cycladic civilization.
This idol with a spherical, voluminous head, indicated nose and slightly accentuated breasts is clearly recognisable as a representation of women. Bizarre the barrel-shaped body and the stylized legs.
The idol is 32.1 cm high, 13.7 cm wide and 8.8 cm deep, original size, also the material, terracotta.
Exhibit of the National Archaeological Museum Athens.
Due to the relatively small footprint, the replica is somewhat tilted, so it should perhaps be in a display case.
The idol, originating from the Greek eidolon, "picture", is a more or less worked, not always fully figuratively formed object of animal and human impressions made of stone, bone, clay and other material. The idol was regarded as a bearer of protective power, which was worshipped as such. As the earliest objectification of magical-religious worship, idols have been proven since the late Palaeolithic Age.
