Sculpture, Figurine, Skulptur [?], Figur

- Karageorghis et al., 2003, no. 190.
- SCE II, 760, 785, pl CCXXVIII:3-4.
- SCE IV:2, 347 n. 3, fig 60b.
- MedMusM 2, 1977, 40, pl XXVI:1.
- Sophocleous, S, Atlas des Répresentations Chypro-Archaiques des Divinités, SIMA Pocket-book 33, Göteborg 1985, pl 4:3.
- Sophocleous, S, 'L´Aphrodite en tant qu´androgyne', Archaeologia Cypria I, 1985, Nicosia 1985, 79-96, pl XVI:10.
- Karageorghis, V,The Coroplastic Art of Ancient Cyprus. IV. The Cypro-Archaic Period. Monsters, Animals and Miscellanea, Nicosia 1996, pl 3:1.

Function: Long wheel-made animal body with long tubular legs. It has a cylindrical torso with male genital organs, female breasts, and thin, short arms. It has a broad, ovoid head with locks of hair hanging down. The statuette served as a votive gift at the cult centre excavated at Ayia Irini, Cyprus.
Acquisition: Excavated at the cult site at Ayia Irini, north-western Cyprus by the Swedish Cyprus Expedition in 1929. Acquired by the Cyprus Collections, subsequently the Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm in 1931 when the finds from Cyprus were brought to Sweden and the museum set up.
Why this is a masterpiece
The object is a good example of this category of terracotta statuette from Ayia Irini. The minotaur embodies an intermediate stage between the theriomorph and human shape of the votive figures at the sanctuary. Other minotaurs were also found, but this is well preserved and well executed.

History of the Object
Excavated at the cult site at Ayia Irini, north-western Cyprus by the Swedish Cyprus Expedition in 1929. (Virtual Collection of Masterpieces, http://masterpieces.asemus.museum/Default.aspx)