Cypriot Green Picrolite Idol

This figure is carved from green picrolite, a soft stone related to steatite, which has been found at numerous archaeological sites across Cyprus. Although these objects appear simple in form, they reflect a high level of conceptual and technical skill. The figure is shaped into a highly stylized cruciform, with minimal facial features, a long neck marked by a shallow groove, and arms notched in a way that may represent fingers.

The exact function of these figures remains uncertain. Some examples have pierced heads, suggesting they may have been worn as pendants. Others, without perforations, could have been attached to the body in other ways, possibly tucked into clothing or sewn onto garments.

Similar figures are held in the collections of major museums, including the British Museum in London and the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia. Despite the lack of definitive answers about their use, these objects remain powerful evidence of early belief systems and ritual practices, offering a direct connection to the distant past.

No restorations or repairs

Sotheby’s, London, 9-10 December 1984, lot 135;

Ex- US Private collection

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1993-2022 (Loan no. L.1993.33.1).