Dedicants, Offerings, and Sacrifice. The value of the Images

Terracotta figurines provide a large category of information concerning not only the sacred sphere, but also ancient daily life. This paper focuses on objects represented in terracotta figurines of Classical and Late-Classical Greek Sicily (especially from Syracuse and Catania) that are held by female dedicants. It also addresses the practice of offering terracotta models of the objects themselves, such as bread, cakes, and different kinds of containers. The focus on a specific shape of container, the kanoun, and on a curious clay model (likely representing unpun wool), enables us to shed some light on the iconography of terracotta kanephoroi.