Chalcolithic Pierides - Terracotta figurine of a seated man

Chalcolithic Pierides - Terracotta figurine of a seated man –  Foundation Museum, Larnaca, Cyprus.

A terracotta figurine of a seated man — from the Chalcolithic period — became the heart of a series of paintings by Glyn Hughes in the late 1990s. Inspired by what is believed to be the oldest sculpture on the island, he created an entire body of work that, in turn, gradually inspired me. In those days, Glyn often took me around the island’s museums and galleries. It was during one of those visits that I first encountered the sculpture, sometime in the late ’90s. Years later, mid 2010, I remember hearing that the statue had been moved to the Louvre Museum in Paris for a temporary exhibition.

One afternoon Sep 2025 at the Moufflon Bookstore, while discussing the piece with Demetris, he suddenly said, “It’s right in front of you — at the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation.” I remember the rush of excitement that followed. I left immediately and burst in to see it again — as if reuniting with an old friend.

Housed within the esteemed Pierides Foundation Museum in Larnaka, Cyprus, is a small but profoundly significant artifact: a terracotta figurine of a sitting man from the Chalcolithic Period (c. 3900-2500 BCE). This enigmatic figure offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the beliefs and artistic expressions of one of the island's most pivotal prehistoric eras.

The ArtifactCrafted from local clay, the figurine is characterized by its highly stylized and abstract form. The man is depicted in a seated position, often with his legs crossed or folded beneath him. Key features, such as the face, are typically rendered with simple, incised lines or small pellets of clay, giving it a minimalistic yet expressive quality. The figure is often depicted as ithyphallic (with an erect phallus), a common trait in prehistoric art that is widely interpreted as a powerful symbol of fertility, virility, and the continuation of life. The artist's focus was clearly not on realistic portraiture but on conveying a symbolic or ritualistic idea.

Archaeologists believe such statuettes served various purposes: 

• Fertility Idols: As a symbol of male potency, the figurine may have been used in rituals intended to ensure the fertility of the land, livestock, and the community itself. 
• Ritual Objects: It could have represented a deity, an ancestor, or a shamanic figure used in religious ceremonies.
• Grave Goods: Placed in tombs, it might have been intended to serve or protect the deceased in the afterlife.
  
  A Lasting Legacy
  Today, the Terracotta Figurine of a Sitting Man stands as a testament to the rich artistic and spiritual world of ancient Cyprus. It is a powerful reminder that long before the island became a crossroads of great empires, it was home to a unique and vibrant culture, whose silent symbols continue to fascinate and inspire us.