Dancer with crotales Greece 325-280 BC Terracotta Resin moulding
This young girl takes a slight graceful step, moving her left leg forward. Her arms are folded, as she plays along with crotales, sorts of wooden castanets which were played during festivals in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine.
Music and dance used to play an important part in the Greeks’ daily life during feasts, weddings and funerals. They mostly accompanied the various cultural duties of the citizens towards the gods. Sacrifices were thus preceded by ritual hymns and dances performed around the altar.