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"Chian Kore," from the right

Collection: Athens, Acropolis Museum
Title: Kore, perhaps from Chios
Context: From Athens, Acropolis
Findspot: Found at Athens, Acropolis. The head was found in 1886 east of the Parthenon, and the body in 1888 south of the Parthenon.
Summary: Statue of maiden
Material: Marble
Sculpture Type: Free-standing statue: kore
Category: Single sculpture
Style: Late Archaic
Technique: In-the-round
Original or Copy: Original
Date: ca. 520 BC - ca. 510 BC
Dimensions: H. 0.55 m
Scale: Under life-size
Region: Attica
Period: Late Archaic


Subject Description: Statue of maiden, probably by an East Greek sculptor. One of the numerous korai dedicated in the last quarter of the 6th century, presumably to Athena. Her left leg is slightly advanced; her left arm pulls her skirt to the side, creating a fan of fine radiating folds. Her right arm extended forward. She wears a fine, crinkly chiton over which a short himation is draped diagonally. The carving is richly detailed, the paint even more so. The chiton is blue, the himation edged with a red and blue design, the stephane was decorated with a maeander, the earrings and a necklace painted, and the hair colored as well.

Form & Style: Though the Ionian style of dress is characteristic of the Acropolis korai in the later sixth century, this kore seems to have other East Greek connections as well. Her face and hair are closely similar to East Greek sculptures at Delphi and to the Nike from Delos by Archermos of Chios, although it is much earlier. Archermos of Chios was also represented on the Acropolis by one or possibly two dedications, known from inscribed columns, suitable for a kore. Raubitschek has tentatively associated this Kore. The marble is thought to be Chian, and Boardman thinks the shape of the crown points in the same direction. Pliny N.H.36.11-14 tells us that the family of Archermos were sculptors for generations. If the time discrepancy between the work at Delos and that at Athens is too great, Stewart suggests there may have been a grandson by the same name.

Condition: Fragmentary

Condition Description: Upper part of kore, broken at knees. Mended from three pieces. Also missing left arm and right forearm, which was made separately.

Material Description: Island marble, possible Chian

Sources Used: Stewart 1990, 124, 243-4; Boardman 1978a, 88; Brouskari 1974, 65; Richter 1968, 79 no. 123, figs. 394-97; Raubitschek 1949, no. 9