HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 2ND CENTURY B.C.

Jointed terracotta figures are known from as early as the Geometric Period. They become more common in the 5th and 4th century B.C. and are usually female in form, clothed at first, nude later. Most were probably dolls, although some hold castanets, and were suspended from a string to make the figure dance, like a marionette (neurospaston). The present figure is possibly unique in terms of its large size and its macrophallus, indicating an apotropaic function. For a recent discussion of jointed dolls see pp. 267-268 in Neils and Oakley, Coming of Age in Ancient Greece, Images of Childhood from the Classical Past.

A thermoluminescence test result confirming the date accompanies this lot.