Description

This marble figurine was discovered in the region of Thessaly near Sesklo settlement (Greece) and dates back from the pre pottery neolithic around the 7th millenium B.C. One can clearly see the linkage with schematic cycladic violin shaped that were crafted afterwards. Indeed, this figurine shows an elongated neck, schematic arms and breasts and large hips that continues to its feet in a bullet shape. A large line separates both legs. Buttocks are oversized and are distinctive from the upper part of the figurine that is thinner and more elongated.
This kind of idol has probably to be set as the missing link that led to some Cycladic figurine’s art (violin shape, Louros type…). One can also clearly find a correspondance with younger ceramic figurines from Thessaly, such as the one that has been sold June 4th 2008 at Christie’s. Thus, this mother goddess is likely to have been used as a model to further derivatives over the time and regions.
The elongated head is also typical of the middle East art that had been crafted during the neolithic era, as well as in the Balkans, leading to the Western European neolithization.

Condition

Some pits due to the age and erosion. No missing part.

Provenance

From an old French collection (Assier’s collection).