Relief image of Demeter
- Inventory number:
- АР-258
- Creation Date:
- 2nd - 1st century BC
- Provenance:
- Lviv Historical Museum
- Size:
- 9.2 x 9 cm
- Material:
- terracotta
- Type of object:
- Sculpture
- Subject:
- Ancient Greece
The figurine is a bust, with facial features faintly expressed due to heavy wear. On the goddess’s head is a headpiece—a kalathos—from which long hair flows. The image is set against a triangular background with a hole at the bottom. The geometric figure of the triangle could be part of her attire along with the diadem or may hold symbolic significance, emphasizing her connection with the three realms: the world of the Olympian gods, the world of humans, and the realm of Hades. It is likely that this figure was created in the 2nd–1st century BC in the ancient city-colony of Pantikapaion. The rough execution technique suggests that the production of this protome was of local origin, as similar pieces from mainland Greece and Asia Minor were distinguished by a much more refined production technique.
