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hard Philp Gallery
Cypriot
Head of male votary
c. 450 B.C.
Limestone
Height: 6 in
From 411 B.C. the Cyprus held very strong ties with Greece. Cypriot art in the Classical period was influenced strongly by Greek models. This relationship can be seen in the archaic smile, and highly stylised hair of our votary sculpture.
A votary is a person bound by vows to a religion or life of worship or service. These sculptures of votarys were used to represent worshipers at temples and our head most likely comes from a full statue such as the example at the Metrolopitan.
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