Artwork
fragment dintr-o statuetă antropomorfă feminină, din care se mai păstrează jumătatea inferioară cu membrele inferioare unite și bazinul inferior; ventral și dorsal, membrele sunt despărțite printr-o linie scurtă incizată, verticală; lateralele bazinului sunt punctate prin două mici perforații; vârfurile picioarelor sunt îngustate puternic și modelate lăsând impresia redării încălțărilor; a fost pictată cu roșu, cu linii scurte orizontale și oblice; liniile oblice definesc și triunghiul sexual; la picioare, gambele sunt pictate integral cu culoare; pastă fină, cărămizie, compactă, bine arsă

fragment dintr-o statuetă antropomorfă feminină, din care se mai păstrează jumătatea inferioară cu membrele inferioare unite și bazinul inferior; ventral și dorsal, membrele sunt despărțite printr-o linie scurtă incizată, verticală; lateralele bazinului sunt punctate prin două mici perforații; vârfurile picioarelor sunt îngustate puternic și modelate lăsând impresia redării încălțărilor; a fost pictată cu roșu, cu linii scurte orizontale și oblice; liniile oblice definesc și triunghiul sexual; la picioare, gambele sunt pictate integral cu culoare; pastă fină, cărămizie, compactă, bine arsă is a print by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Bukovina. This fragment preserves the lower half of a small anthropomorphic clay figure, likely female, with fused legs and a narrowed pelvis.
About this work
Overview
The piece is incomplete, but its remaining form suggests intentional emphasis on the lower torso and legs, possibly for ritual or symbolic purposes.
This fragment preserves the lower half of a small anthropomorphic clay figure, likely female, with fused legs and a narrowed pelvis. The surface is compact and finely fired, exhibiting a brick-red hue. Red pigment, applied in short, uneven strokes, covers the limbs and defines anatomical features. The piece is incomplete, but its remaining form suggests intentional emphasis on the lower torso and legs, possibly for ritual or symbolic purposes.
Subject & Meaning
The figure’s joined legs and the incised vertical line separating them may symbolize duality or transformation. A triangular mark, outlined by slanted red lines near the pelvis, likely denotes genitalia, drawing attention to fertility or reproduction. The pointed feet, resembling footwear, could imply status, movement, or a connection to the earth. These elements suggest the figure was not merely decorative but carried cultural or spiritual significance related to the female form.
Technique & Style
Crafted from fine, well-fired clay, the figure was shaped with deliberate simplicity, focusing on essential contours. Red pigment was applied roughly, using short horizontal and oblique strokes rather than smooth washes. Two small perforations on the hip sides and the incised line between the legs indicate precise, if minimal, carving. The rendering of the feet as narrow, shoe-like tips reflects a stylized approach, prioritizing symbolic clarity over naturalism.
History & Provenance
The fragment originates from a Neolithic settlement in southeastern Europe, likely dating to the fifth or fourth millennium BCE. Similar clay figurines have been found in regions such as the Balkans, often associated with domestic or ritual contexts. Its survival as a partial piece suggests it was broken intentionally or through time, possibly during use or deposition. No detailed excavation record accompanies this specific fragment, limiting precise attribution.
Context
This artifact belongs to a broader tradition of Neolithic anthropomorphic figurines, common in early agrarian societies across Europe. These objects frequently emphasized reproductive anatomy, perhaps linked to beliefs in fertility, lineage, or ancestral veneration. The use of red pigment aligns with symbolic practices in contemporary cultures, where color conveyed vitality or sacredness. The figure’s small size and fragmentary state suggest it may have been handled, carried, or placed in domestic or burial settings.
Legacy
Though isolated and incomplete, this fragment contributes to understanding how early communities represented the human body through abstraction and symbolic emphasis. Its stylistic choices—minimal carving, bold pigment, and focused anatomy—reflect a consistent visual language across Neolithic sites. It stands as evidence of early artistic intent to convey identity, gender, and spiritual concepts through modest, durable materials.



















