Female Figurines of the Kostenki Type: Style and Image

V. I. Belyaeva

List of issues > «Geoarchaeology, Ethnology, and Anthropology Series». 2022. Vol 41

Female Figurines of the Kostenki Type: Style and Image

Full text (russian)

Author(s)

V. I. Belyaeva

Abstract

. The paper considers 15 figurines from the Kostenki 1, Avdeevo, Gagarino, and Willendorf sites. For comparison, representations of two modern female figures are employed. In eight cases, we used copies of the statuettes (collection St Petersburg State University) for interpretation of the measurements. In other cases, published drawings and photographs were used. The ratios between the main parts of the body were not so unconditional it seemed before. The shins were reduced in size, but in five cases they corresponded to the norm. The head was too large at the Kostenki and Gagarino figurines and too small at the Avdeevo and Gagarino figurines. The heads of large Avdeevo figurines had absolutely correct proportions. All Kostenki figurines have a significantly enlarged body and torso, but Gagarino and Avdeevo images are more diverse. Deliberately enlarged pelvis, breasts, and abdomen required large torsos. The body weight of Kostenki figurines corresponds to modern standards, but Gagarino's is extremely increased. Avdeevo images are more diverse. The breasts are equally elongated and presented in two or three positions. The area of the pelvis and back is almost equal in proportion, stylistically it is presented in different variants in Kostenki and Gagarino. Avdeevo also shows great diversification. With all the diversity of the style of images, extremely similar forms are presented. As follows from well-known examples, the figurines depict women of different physiques. And they are on each group of sites. The pose of figurines is an extremely important element of their functional purpose. The line of the center of gravity does not coincide with the vertical position of the figure. The fuzzy position of the legs speaks, rather, of a lying posture of the depicted woman. Perhaps the figurines were supposed to be held in the palm, which corresponds to the size and shape of the figurines. Women’s figurines of the Kostenki Type were manufactured by professional artisans skilled in removing all the superfluous and highlighting the most essential. In our case it is an attempt to express the essence of the female principle in its figurativeness and variability.

About the Authors

Belyaeva Valentina Ivanovna, Candidate of Sciences (History), Associate Professor, Independent Researcher; 11/18, Radishcheva st., Pushkin, St. Petersburg, 196602, Russian Federation, e-mail: vibel@list.ru

For citation

Belyaeva V. I. Female Figurines of the Kostenki Type: Style and Image. Bulletin of the Irkutsk State University. Geoarchaeology, Ethnology, and Anthropology Series. 2022, Vol. 41, pp. 43–56. https://doi.org/10.26516/2227-2380.2022.41.43 (in Russ.)

Keywords

Upper Palaeolithic, female figurines of the Kostenki type, dimensional features, degree of realism, poses, accents, style.

UDC

902/904+903+572+550.384.32

DOI

https://doi.org/10.26516/2227-2380.2022.41.43

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