Judahite Pillar Figurine with Mold-made Head

Terra-cotta pillar figurines are found throughout the biblical territory of Judah and date to the eighth to seventh centuries BCE. Most were decorated with a white background layer and one or more colors (red, yellow, black) for stripes, jewelry, eyes, and hair. They usually have almond-shaped eyes and a hairstyle with tightly twisted curls, similar to representations of Egyptian wigs. This example, from Lachish, 7 inches (18 cm) high, has a stylized curly hairdo. The face seems to present a quirky smile, a long thin nose, and eyes and brow ridges marked by raised lines.