Votive Statue of a Girl with a Dove

Artemis was a huntress, and she was also the goddess Greek families trusted with their daughters. She watched over girls from childhood until marriage, and over women in childbirth. At Brauron, on the east coast of Attica, young Athenian girls served in her sanctuary as little bears, as the rite was called, and excavators there found marble statues of children set up as gifts to the goddess.

This girl was made for a sanctuary as well. The museum's label calls her a votive gift, probably placed in a holy site, perhaps one of Artemis, and dates her to around 310 BC. Where she actually stood is not known. An offering like this was usually made in thanks or in hope, and unlike the grave monuments in this room she was made for the living.

She is just over a metre tall and carries a dove on her left arm.