Minoan Bronze Statuette of a Dancer

Culture: Minoan

Period: 16th-15th century B.C.

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 10.7 cm high

Price: Reserved

Ref: 2585

Provenance: British private collection, acquired prior to 2000. Thence in a collection in Cambridgeshire. Last in the English art market.

Condition: Unrestored. The surface with encrustations, but beautiful age patina. Left arm and part of the dress missing, possibly already since ancient times.

Description: Rare Minoan bronze statuette of a dancer with a flowing dress. The square, stylized head with bird-shaped features refers to the Levant influence. The nose is long and hook-shaped, the eyes sit deep, the ears protruding. The slim dancer holds in her right hand an object to her chest, possibly a cymbal, the left arm hangs on the side. Her long skirt in a bell-shape due to her movement. The statuette belongs to the late Minoan type of dancers which are especially known from Palekastro in the far east of Crete. These statuettes were mostly made of clay and are much rarer in bronze. Mounted.