Form and gesture arise from clay sculptures from Predynastic Egypt. Dancing female figures from these early graves are now thought to be mourners supplied for the deceased on his journey into the life of the next world.
From certain angles light shines through the eyes. This light belongs to many of the tiny clay female figurines from the European Trypillian (Cucuteni) culture, 4500-3500 B.C.

In the midst of life is the dance.

stoneware, antler, wood, linen, pigment
ht. 5'1" with base, figure 38"