Female figurine of a priestess (?)

Cypriot figurine of a standing female in a characteristic pose with the hands supporting the breasts. She wears lavish garments and copious jewellery. The figurine has been modelled in a double mould and is hollow. Details are picked out in red and black paint, mostly worn today. Figurines of females holding their breasts are known from various sites on Cyprus (Amathus, Idalion, Tamassos etc.). This particular type is common at Achna, in the Larnaca region, where there was an Archaic sanctuary of the Great Goddess. Most researchers interpret the figurines as representing priestesses. Others, however, believe that they refer to the cult statue of the deity, or that they are images of worshippers who deposited them in sanctuaries as a token of eternal faith. Their interpretation as priestesses, however, is supported by their richly embellished ceremonial garments and by the pendants with seal rings hanging below their breasts. The garments perhaps render the sacerdotal vestments worn during rites celebrated in honour of the goddess, while the hieratic girdle (the ends of which are visible under the short chiton) alludes to the "magical girdle", which was one of the most important attributes of Aphrodite.