Kore with Mirror 37 cm

This figure represents a Kore (maiden) holding a mirror, inspired by Archaic votive statues discovered on the Athenian Acropolis and now preserved in the Acropolis Museum. Created during the Archaic Period (circa 650–480 BCE), such statues were dedicated to the goddess Athena and stood within her sacred sanctuary in Athens.

Korai depict elegantly dressed young women in long, flowing garments, originally painted in vivid colors. The mirror symbolizes femininity, beauty, and possibly ritual preparation, reflecting the cultural values and daily life of aristocratic women in ancient Attica. Rather than portraits, these sculptures served as offerings, expressing devotion, gratitude, and civic pride.

Produced in workshops across the region of Attica during the 6th century BCE, Korai mark a pivotal stage in Greek art, as sculptors moved toward greater naturalism and refined anatomical detail. They remain enduring symbols of youth, grace, and the religious traditions of early classical Greece.