Cruciform figurine-pendant from Cyprus

This ingeniously shaped cruciform figurine is actually a combination of two figures crossed at right angles. By placing the smaller figure in a horizontal position, the sculptor has managed to give the impression of a single figure with outstretched arms. A suspension hole on the top of the larger figure's head indicates that the figurine was used as a pendant.This type of "double" figurine is very rare in Cyprus and has been variously interpreted either as a mother and child, a couple in mating position or simply as an amulet with magical properties, worn by those desirous of producing twins. Such figurines are usually small and made of picrolite, an attractive green-blue soft stone, native in Cyprus. This particular example comes from the Paphos district, where there are abundant deposits of picrolite.