Fig. 1 - Female terracotta figurine with articulated limbs - 5th century BCE (from Met Museum collection, OA)
Diverse in terms of iconographic representation, dimensions, and techniques, terracotta figurines’ functions have been interpreted in several ways. Some small specimens with joints, found throughout the Greek world and used at all periods, are commonly referred to as “dolls” or “children’s toys”. While their movable legs and arms would have naturally fascinated children, the fragility of the material makes them less suitable for everyday play (fig. 1). Moreover, these figurines have been discovered not only in children’s tombs but also in many adult graves, making their archaeological contexts of provenance an inconsistent basis for determining their function.
Fig. 1 - Female terracotta figurine with articulated limbs - 5th century BCE
(from Met Museum collection, OA)
The majority of terracotta figurines were crafted primarily as votive offerings deposited in tombs and sanctuaries, as testified by their frequent discovery in religious and funerary contexts. Some specimens have also been found in domestic settings, where they may have served as decorative objects or as cult images in small household shrines. Regardless of their specific findspot, these figurines were closely linked to rituals and functioned as a medium for communication with the gods. Throughout antiquity, it was common practice across the Mediterranean to offer such objects as a means of worship, to seek divine favour, or to appease and honour the gods. Religious rituals, while often conducted in sanctuaries, could also take place within homes and burial grounds.In Cyprus, figurines of female musicians from the Archaic period have been discovered mainly in sanctuaries and temples. Among these, depictions of drummers were particularly favoured, alongside those of lyre and flute players. The prevalence of such representations in terracotta production reflects the deep connection between religious ceremonies and musical performances. Music, likely due to its emotive and rhythmic impact, played a crucial role in ritual practices – an association attested across various cultures and historical periods. In Cyprus, these figurines have frequently been found at sites dedicated to Goddesses, such as Aphrodite or other female deities associated with fertility.
Due to the uncertain provenance of this and many other terracotta figurines and statues, as well as the common practice of collecting and re-depositing them in pits within continuously used sanctuary sites, it is impossible to determine their exact original placement within or around these sacred spaces. They may have been positioned on benches, placed on the ground, hung on interior or exterior walls, or even suspended from tree branches. Worshippers likely carried their offerings carefully upon entering the sanctuary, looking all around to find a suitable place to deposit them. In some cases, figurines may have played an active role in religious ceremonies, being carried in processions or held during specific ritual acts, while in others, they may have simply been displayed as votive offerings.