Miniature Throne

1425–1100 B.C.

Medium

Terracotta

Dimensions

10.4 × 7 cm

Status

In Museum Collection

Collect24 Art ID

C24-238672

This miniature terracotta throne probably once held a seated figure, now missing. Archeologists have found seated figures of women, probably meant to represent enthroned goddesses, at many Mycenaean sites. Sometimes the figure and the throne were made as one piece; in other instances, as here, the figure and the throne were made as two pieces and became separated over the millennia. These miniature thrones take two forms: one with a solid back, as seen here, decorated with a vertical herringbone pattern, and the other with a latticework back. All these miniature thrones have three legs, which some scholars assume has religious significance. Other three-legged objects were sacred in this culture, and normal chairs and stools of this time had four legs. Terracotta figurines became popular in the Mycenaean world around 1350 B.C. They are found in a wide variety of contexts: in homes, tombs, and sanctuaries. A standing goddess was the most common type of figurine; but seated goddesses, animals, and chariots were also popular.