Terracotta statue of a young woman at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

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This is a life-like terracotta statue of a young woman carved by Etruscan artisans in the late 4th or early 3rd century B.C. The legendary king Aeneas, father of the Latin people, fled from Troy to Macedonia and then Sicily before settling on the Italian peninsula where he founded Lavinium, a city located eighteen miles south of Rome that became a major religious center for the Latin people. This statue's distinctive clothing and jewelry closely resemble those found on fourth- and third-century B.C. terracottas discovered in Lavinium. Elaborate necklaces and armbands appear to be reproductions from molds of actual jewelry, with some pendants featuring reliefs depicting various Etruscan deities and heroes. Originally, this woman wore a pair of grape-cluster earrings; one earring is visible behind her long hair. When complete, the statue likely stood in a sanctuary and showed the young woman holding an incense box in her extended right hand. This rare statue showcases the growing sophistication of Italic artists who over the following two centuries combined native traditions with imported ones to give birth to the diverse art of Late Republican Rome. This object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory that creates a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from around the world for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and want to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can help.