Hand-modelled, stylised female figure. The body is composed of basic geometric shapes. Cylindrical lower body with a flared garment hem as base. The upper body with flat breasts and raised arms form a crescent. Narrow, elongated head with pinched nose. Conical headdress (polos). Eyes, nose, polos, and details of the garment are rendered by vertical, horizontal and wavy lines painted in brown and (due to the firing process) reddish glaze. Clay figurines of this type are typical of the high and late periods of Mycenaean culture. The meaning of these statuettes is subject to debate, but they are often interpreted as deities. As they were found in sanctuaries, sepulchral and settlement contexts, it can be assumed that they were multifunctional or had a multi-layered range of meanings depending on where they were found; a secondary use cannot be ruled out. Body reassembled from two fragments. Left arm reattached. Edge of polos and base slightly worn. Glaze abraded in places.
PROVENANCE
Formerly priv. coll. Kurt Alder, Riehen; inherited by his wife Marianne Alder, Basel, before 2000. Thereafter, priv. coll. Erika (b. 1934 - d. 2025) and Jakob (b. 1927 - d. 2025) Binkert, Binningen, Switzerland; acquired in 2001 at Cultura 2001 from Jean-David Cahn AG, Basel. Since then in the family.
NOTE
The canonical Phi, Tau and Psi idol types refer to the position of the arms and the general similarity of the figures to these letters of the Greek alphabet. The raised arms of the Psi idol form an epiphanic gesture that has been used for representations of deities since at least the early 2nd mill. B.C. at least. For comparative examples and general information on Mycenaean culture cf. K. Demakopoulou (ed.), Das mykenische Hellas. Heimat der Helden Homers (Berlin 1988), esp. 130, no. 72; 201, no. 177 (cult vessel with four idols on the rim); 222-224, nos. 208, 210-213. On the typology and stylistic development, cf. I. Weber Hiden, The stylistic development of Mycenaean terracotta female figurines (Athens 2002).