Sculpted female figures
Ölknitz, Thringens, Germany
Bone
Height: 6.3 cms
Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt.
Landesmuseum fü Vorgeschichte, Halle
v2
This profile female figure made from bone has confidently accomplished proportions. By comparison with ivory, bone was easier to work. The back of this figure is cut in a single straight line downwards which then turns out smoothly around the buttocks. The front of the body is cut from the neck out and around the breast and then downwards from the underside of the breast. The abdomen is thin and flat but below the waist the line becomes slightly convex above the thin, backward sloping thigh. Although the chosen material did not provide volume for a three dimensional body, the artistry of the sculpting represents it superbly. Despite the simplicity and lack of detail it is easy to be engaged by the youthful sexuality of the figure placed in the bottom of pit filled with stone tools.