Shelf 7. Cyprus & Greece

Tanagra (Τάναγρα)

These small statuettes are so-called Tanagra figures, which were form-cast and painted terracotta sculptures. They get their name from the city of Tanagra, north of Athens, where they originated, but such figures were produced all over Ancient Greece as well as in cities around the Mediterranean.

Tanagra figures are believed to have had a primarily decorative purpose, although some were made for religious practices. It was also common for people to be buried with them as grave goods. Many of these figures depict average young men and women clothed in the typical garments of the day, such as the chiton and himation, a common form of tunic and shawl draped over the body.

The larger figure also has hair done in a “melon coiffure,” which was extremely popular in Ancient Greece starting in the fourth century BC and was associated with youthfulness. In the 1870s, many graves in Tanagra were plundered as people from the city and the surrounding region sought to recover Tanagra figures. As a result, a great many graves were destroyed. Several years later, the authorities confiscated illegally executed excavation permits throughout the area.