Photo © The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, by Vladimir Naikhin |
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Grotesque head
Egypt Hellenistic period Terracotta H: 4.5; W: 3.2 cm Gift of Abraham Guterman, New York, to American Friends of the Israel Museum Accession number: 97.63.30 |
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Hundreds of so-called grotesque figures like this one have been found at Hellenistic sites. They may have been votives, offered in hope of attaining healing, or charms designed to avert the evil eye. Alternatively, they may have been images of professional entertainers used to decorate the homes of the wealthy Digital presentation of this object was made possible by: The Ridgefield Foundation, New York, in memory of Henry J. and Erna D. Leir |
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