LA DAMA DE IBIZA.... The Ibiza´s Lady...
In Madrid
Although in Ibiza there is an Archaeological Museum located in Puig des Molins, some of the pieces found in the same Puig des Molins and some other arqueological sites of Ibiza, are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Madrid. Among them is this figure of terracotta that is considered the representation of the goddess Tanit, that is about 50cm of height and dated of approximately of the III century a.c. The goddess Tanit who was like the protection of Carthage, was also the protection of Ebusus (Ibiza) the city founded by the Carthaginians and also was in charge of guarding the island of Ibiza. Tanit was the goddess of life, fertility, love, death, harvest, prosperity and the moon. This Lady of Ibiza, is one of the most important pieces of the Archaeological Museum of Madrid, and is very close to other great "ladies" of Hispanic geography, such as the lady of Elche or Baza among others.
But from the Pitiusas islands and perhaps more specifically from Ibiza, not only the Madrileño Museum owns its Lady of Ibiza, but more pieces found in the island, but of course, the most exceptional is this lady, who is an exceptional image of Terracotta by its profuse decoration of its clothes and by the jewels in its relief that adorns the bust and the head, also has a cavity in its back that perhaps could have served like reliquary or to deposit offerings. This statue was found on a tomb as a part of an offering, thats make think that the person buried there, could have been very important.
Unlike most of the works presented here in Madrid found in Puig des Molins of Ibiza, this one (pictured above) it has the origin at the Punic Sanctuary of Es Cuieram in Sant Vicent de Sa Cala at the north of the island, where there is a sanctuary cave in honor to the Goddess Tanit . In this case there is nothing that represents this figure and it is a debate among the experts if they are simple sculptures that represent orantes or representations of some deity of the Phoenician-punico pantheon or Greek.
This figure of clay was also found in the Puig des Molins, somewhat more deteriorated than some others that are exposed. It is considered that it has in its style much of the Hellenistic aesthetic due to the great movement of clothes and its style. It follows the models of the time of Sicily or Carthage.
Another of the pieces that can be found in this museum is this one that represents a female figure also made in terracotta, which could represent decedent or deity. It could have been done between the 6th and 4th centuries BC. It also comes from an excavation in the area of Puig des Molins.
Also the Archaeological Museum of Madrid shows a collection of decorative objects, decorated and painted ostrich eggs, vases, masks, busts, bracelets, amulets, etc., found in different excavations in the archaeological zones of Ibiza and they can be seen in the exhibition. Ibiza is well present in this museum.
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