Archaic Greek Ivory of Two Women in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, July 2007

Ivory decorative plaque, 2nd half of 7th century B.C.; Archaic
Greek
Ivory; Overall: 5 3/8 x 2 3/4 x 5/8 in. (13.6 x 7 x 1.6 cm)
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917 (17.190.73)

This plaque illustrates a mythological subject related to the advent of the god Dionysos in Greece. Because the two daughters of King Proitos of Argos refused to recognize Dionysos' divinity, they were driven mad and committed violent and unseemly acts until they were healed by the seer Melampos. Here, in their madness, they have unpinned their clothes and stand partially naked.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/Works_of_Art/viewOne.asp?dep=13&vie...