Marble head from a figurine of Aphrodite

This small-scale head of Aphrodite, with her hand raised to squeeze water from her hair, is thought to be an ancient miniature reproduction of either the Crouching Aphrodite or Aphrodite Anadyomene. A famous fourth century BCE painting of Aphrodite Anadyomene by Apelles showed the adult goddess rising from the sea and teasing out the tresses of her hair with her hands.

Small-scale reproductions were popular in the Hellenistic period and well into Roman times. A major source of inspiration was the cult statue of Aphrodite made by the Athenian sculptor Praxiteles for the city of Cnidus; it was renowned for its grace and beauty and became the benchmark for the ideal female body.

Whether she was depicted clothed or naked, statues of Aphrodite were designed to arouse sexual desire at the same time as inspiring religious awe.