Standing Draped Woman

This self-assured young woman has a twin in our collection (1926.21.16). Both figurines were made using the same molds for the body and for the head, but because those were attached at different angles the end products are unique. This woman is bold; her sister is more modest.

People tend to think of mold-made figurines as mass-produced trinkets that bear little originality or thoughtfulness, but that could not be farther from the truth. Not only can mold-casting be an arduous endeavor, but the artists that made figurines using molds applied a great deal of creativity to their craft. Heads can be moved or exchanged, hairdos updated, accessories added... and one must not forget about the colors! Figurines were brightly painted in antiquity; even a limited palette of pigments could produce a fun variety of hues to play with.