Female board idol statuette

myminifactory

In the archaic period, plank idols were mainly found in Boeotia, occasionally also in Argolis. They reflect older forms that may take up ancient cult images in the form of boards. Jewelery and festive robes point to important models. In Boeotia, for example, the festival of Hera in Plataea, the so-called Daidala, could be associated with the figures. The name derives from wooden dolls that were shown wearing bridal jewelry. The use as a burial object could be understood as an indication of the representation of a goddess of fertility, death and resurrecting life. The figure consists of a board-like, flat, almost rectangular body that widens to form an oval base, and a cylindrical neck and bird-like head as well as a headgear (Greek polos) with a rolled volute over the forehead. In the upper part, the arms are stretched out horizontally, the right one is slightly bent. The polos has a decoration with vertical lines, the volute with horizontal ones. Below the polo are zigzag lines on the back and sides, which probably indicate hair. Three strands fall low at the nape of the neck, two towards the front. The eyes are indicated as circles with dots. Two horizontal lines decorate the neck, three rays hang down from the lower one. The shoulders are decorated with vertical lines running backwards, possibly fringes. The front of the body is marked at arm level by two horizontal lines with a row of dots.