Carlotta - the museum database

A.I. 2320 :: Figurine, Sculpture

Object description: Minotaur with cylindrical human and animal bodies (The centaurs from Ayia Irini are referred to as minotaurs by Gjerstad since they have human head and torso, and the body of a bull instead of a horse). Tail on hind quarters. Large male genital organs. Female pellet breasts. Rhomboid, roughly shaped head. Pellet ears, curved nose, pellet mouth. No marked eyes. Ridged eyebrows on rudimentary forehead. Arms probably uplifted (now missing). Wheelmade and handmade. Red-brown clay, light brown slip.

Data elements
References (7)

Inventory number

A.I. 2320

Serie nummer

5918

Object

Figurine; Sculpture

Object, Swedish

Figur; Skulptur [?]

Country - Findspot

Cyprus : Europe

Place - Findspot

Ajia Irini

Geographic name, alternative

Agia Irini; Ayia Irini

Material

Terracotta; Earthenware; Clay; Pottery

Material, Swedish

Terrakotta; Keramik; Lera; Keramik

Exhibitions

- MMs permanent Cyprus Exhibition 1989-2005. - Exhibition, ”object of the month”, showcase.

Motif

Minotaur

Context

Sanctuary. Square L 6. Levels 97.7-98.7.

Acquisition

SCE 1929-1930.

Description, Swedish

Figurin i terrakotta. Minotaur Ajia Irini

Description

Minotaur with cylindrical human and animal bodies (The centaurs from Ayia Irini are referred to as minotaurs by Gjerstad since they have human head and torso, and the body of a bull instead of a horse). Tail on hind quarters. Large male genital organs. Female pellet breasts. Rhomboid, roughly shaped head. Pellet ears, curved nose, pellet mouth. No marked eyes. Ridged eyebrows on rudimentary forehead. Arms probably uplifted (now missing). Wheelmade and handmade. Red-brown clay, light brown slip.

Period

C.G. III-C.A. I. (850-600 BC)

Exhibition - Current

Cypern genom tiderna

Description: New Cypriot gallery.
The Leventis Gallery of Cypriote Antiquities
The island of Cyprus is situated in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, and this location has always made the island a crossroad of peoples, goods and ideas originating in ancient Egypt, the Levant, Mesopotamia, Anatolia and Greece.
This exhibition consists of about 1500 archaeological finds, which span more than 7000 years. They testify to an ever increasing intensification of contacts between Cyprus and the outside world, and an unusual open-mindedness towards new ideas and influences.
This not only led to a diversification of religious beliefs, but also resulted in exceptional innovative and unique works of art, that have become a true hallmark of Cyprus.
Most of the items in the exhibition were brought to light at the many sites excavated by the Swedish Cyprus Expedition between 1927 and 1931. The background to the
Swedish Cyprus Expedition is told in the study corner adjacent to the museum café: The A.G. Leventis Gallery of Cypriote Antiquities: the Mezzanine Floor.
In accordance with the practice of the time, the excavation finds were subsequently divided between Sweden and Cyprus with permission from the British colonial
government. (www.medelhavmuseet.se, 2010-09-01)
Time - Start: 2009-01-302009-01-30 [?]

Exhibition, Part of - Current

Exhibition; showcase 10:08:08.

Event - Was Present At

Swedish Cyprus Expedition (1927-1931)

Description: The Swedish Cyprus Expedition was a project to systematically investigate the archaeology of the entire early history of Cyprus. It took place between September 1927 and March 1931 and was led by three archaeologists: Einar Gjerstad, Erik Sjöqvist and Alfred Westholm together with architect John Lindros.
Archaeological excavations were made at locations all over Cyprus including Lapithos, Nitovikla, Ajia Irini and Enkomi. The results were published in four volumes from 1934 to 1972. Most of the finds are now kept at the Cyprus Museum; Nicosia and Medelhavsmuseet, Stockholm.
In the early 1970s Paul Åström from the University of Gothenburg continued the tradition of the Swedish Cyprus Expedition with his excavations at the ancient city of Hala Sultan Tekke / Dromolaxia-Vizatzia near Larnaca. He concentrated mainly on the investigation of the late history of the city, viz. the later part of Late Cypriote period (Late Bronze Age). After the untimely death of Paul Åström, Peter M. Fischer from the same university received the permission by the Department of Antiquities (2009) to continue the excavations there (2010). The main objective of the first season of the renewed excavations is to investigate the earliest history of the city which seems to have its roots in the Middle Cypriote period (Middle Bronze Age). (wikipedia, 2012-04-23)
Source - http: collections.smvk.se, en.wikipedia.org, sv.wikipedia.org, swedishcyprusexpedition.se

Comments

Type 1, period 3 (SCE II, pl CCXXVII:2).

Face.

Needs support.

Keyword

Ceramics

NegNo

3317D

Publications

- Karageorghis et al., 2003, no. 188.

- SCE II, 760, 785, pl CCXXVII:2.

- Karageorghis, V,The Coroplastic Art of Ancient Cyprus. IV. The Cypro-Archaic Period. Monsters, Animals and Miscellanea, Nicosia 1996, pl 2:1.

PhotoNegNo

3313D-3317D, 7041D(gr.)-7043D (gr.).

Cneg 5821.

Reference - Published in

Gjerstad, Einar (red.) (1935). The Swedish Cyprus expedition: finds and results of the excavation in Cyprus 1927-1931. Vol. 2

Source - http: archive.org, libris.kb.se

Length / Längd

17,5 cm

Dimensions

L. 17.5.

Condition

Both arms and end of tail missing. Mended.

Conservation - Executed

Desalted ATm 2005.

Original register

Cyprus

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A.I. 2320 :: Figurine, Sculpture

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