2300 Years Old

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29778, 22 March 1962, Page 14

2300 Years Old

Ibis aeiigntiui Hellenistic terracotta figure, stan mg only tour inches and a half, is the latest addition to the James Logie collection in the classics department at the University of Canterbury. It is one of the rare sculptural portrayals of an ancient Persian dance called the oklasma.

The figure came originally from the island of Kertsch in the Crimea to which it was presumably imported from Athens about 350 BC. The oklasma resembled * cossack dance in that performers made many wild leaps into the air and landed with one knee bent This figure, which could be male or female, is wearing an Oriental costume with trousers and a head-dress rather like a turban. The hands are clapped above the head.

£ne figure nas been presented to the university by Professor T. D. L. Webster, professor of Greek at University College, London, who visited Canterbury in 1959. He enjoyed the visit, admired the Logie collection, and expressed the hope that it would grow. The new accession may be inspected by the public any! Thursday between 2 and 4! p.m. This is the time when! the whole Logie collection is! on public view during any! university term. Senior staff! are available then to explain, l the ancient pottery. Organised adult education! groups and school classes! have accepted this invitation in fairly large numbers and individuals also pay frequent visits. Arrangements may be made through the classics department.