Double-headed figure
Some of the earliest known works of art in western South America have been found on Ecuador's Santa Elena Peninsula, where the Valdivia peoples produced small stone and ceramic figurines. These latter statuettes were produced from two slabs of clay pressed together to form the torso and legs. Predominantly female, these figurines often depict women in various stages of their lives. There are examples, however, of figurines with both male and female characteristics, as well as figures, like the one pictured here, which display more than one individual. As seen in the figurine here, two female heads and torsos emerge from a shared lower body. The women's faces are tilted slightly and their expressions are formed by small horizontal incisions. Both figures have short caplike hair and round prominent breasts, appearing from the waist up as mirror images of each other. Their arms are clasped below their chests and their legs are splayed in typical Valdivian figurine stance. Commonly interpreted as fertility figures and/or guardian spirits, the exact purpose of these precocious figurines remains unknown.
Artwork Details
- Title: Double-headed figure
- Date: 2300–2200 BCE
- Geography: Ecuador
- Culture: Valdivia
- Medium: Ceramic
- Dimensions: H. 3 1/2 × W. 5 1/2 × D. 3/4 in. (8.9 × 14 × 1.9 cm)
- Classification: Ceramics-Sculpture
- Credit Line: Gift of Margaret B. Zorach, 1980
- Object Number: 1980.34.1
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
More Artwork
Related Content
Timeline of Art History
Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.