Threepartite figurine
Archaeological museum Messenia, Kalamata
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Threepartite figurine
5th century BCE
Archaeological museum Messenia, Kalamata
Demiova cave, Elaiochori, Messenia
Width: 6.1 cm x Height: 12.1 cm
Threepartite terracotta figurine. A naked female figure is depicted with raised hands over her head. On either side, two more naked, smaller, figures, touching the belly of the central one with their hands. All three figures stand on staged base. The rear side is hollow and roughly made, its upper part covered by a flattened piece of clay. The scene perhaps depicts the epiphany of a deity, followed by her entourage. It was handed to the Archaeological service, along with other figurines, found in a cave in the area of Demiova monastery, near the village of Elaiochori, east of Kalamata. The finds indicate the existence of a cult of a female deity. The sanctuary possibly belonged to ancient Kalamai, located in the broader region of present day villages Elaiochori and Perivolakia.