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Relief depicting a dancing female figure

Dancing Horai Reliefs

Collection: Athens, National Archaeological Museum
Title: Dancing Horai Relief
Context: From Athens, Acropolis (S. Slope)
Findspot: Found at Athens, Theater of Dionysos (in 1862), in the Eastern portion of the right Parodos
Summary: One of three (?) reliefs (from a tripod base?) showing dancing Horai
Material: Marble
Sculpture Type: Tripod base?
Category: Statuary group
Style: Eclectic
Technique: Low relief
Original or Copy: Original
Date: ca. 100 BC - ca. 31 BC
Dimensions: H. 1.07 m; W. 0.66 m; Th. 0.10 m
Scale: Under life-size
Region: Attica
Period: Late Hellenistic

Subject Description: A nymph (probably one of the Seasons or Horai) steps calmly to the left, with her left foot advanced. She wears a himation wrapped entirely around her body, up to her neck. She holds the skirts of drapery firmly with both lowered hands. Her hair is bound in a bun at the nape of her neck.

Form & Style: The relief, and a corresponding plaque, Athens, NM 260, are somewhat concave, which suggests that they belonged to a three-sided tripod base.

Condition: Nearly complete

Condition Description: Broken off in all corners; surface is worn and pitted.

Associated Building: Athens, Theater of Dionysos

Sources Used: Karouzou 1968, 191-92; Svoronos 1903-12, 239-41, pl. 32 (center)