La Gran Dama Oferente
del Cerro de los Santos

The Great Lady Offerant of the Hill of the Holy

limestone statue of robed priestess holding libation cup

Another view: frontal angle

  

 

full view of Gran Dama, with richly draped robes

A classic of Iberian sculpture, she stands four feet high, holding a libation cup over her womb. She wears rich robes, necklaces, and a headdress with a rodete pendant like that of the Dama de Elche.

Limestone, 1.3 meters (51 inches).
Montealegre del Castillo, Albacete. 400-100 BCE.

limestone head of woman in high peaked headdress with elaborate headband decoration

Lady's head from Cerro de los Santos.

 

stylized sculpture of woman standing with offering cup and tall peaked headdress

Solemn woman in tall peaked headdress holding offering vessel. Limestone, probably Cerro de los Santos.

woman holding offering cup

Oferente from Cerro de los Santos.

  

 

two women holding an offering

Two women holding an offering. Cerro de los Santos.
 
  

 

 

broad woman's head with elaborate braiding and mantle

This is one of the older heads from Cerro de los Santos. Her elaborate braids with mantle, and more archaic style, are similar to the example at right. Dated to about 400 bce.

  

archaic-featured woman's head with large eyes and elaborate braids covered by mantle

This large-eyed head from Cerro de los Santos is carved in a more primal style. Her heavy braids taken up at the sides in loops may be predecessors of the hoop ornaments worn by the Dama de Elche.

 
   
Next>

Max Dashu | Suppressed Histories Archives | Gallery | Female Icons