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Venus of Eliseevichi

Venus of Eliseevichi is a Venus figurine from the Epigravettian period. It was discovered in 1930 near the Sudost River in the western Russian oblast of Bryansk, Russia. The figure is 15 cm tall and carved from mammoth ivory. It is notable for depicting a young woman, in a way similar to the Venus impudique from Laugerie-Basse in France. Although classified as a Venus figurine, it does not appear stylistically comparable to other Russian Paleolithic figures such as those from Kostyonki or Gagarino.

Venus of Eliseevichi ivory figurine on a mount against a dark background
The Venus of Eliseevichi, a small ivory female figurine, displayed on a light mount.
February 2017 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Venus of Eliseevichi carved figurine with prominent breasts and hips, shown on a support against a dark background.
The Venus of Eliseevichi is shown as a weathered carved female figurine on display.
April 2017 © Andreas Franzkowiak · CC BY-SA 4.0
Venus of Eliseevichi figurine with prominent breasts and hips on a white pedestal
The Venus of Eliseevichi is shown as a pale carved female figurine on a pedestal.
April 2017 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Venus of Eliseevichi figurine with an elongated form, prominent hips and breasts, and a featureless head
The Venus of Eliseevichi, a small standing figurine with simplified features and an elongated body.
2020 © own work basing on user:Thilo Parg's photo · CC BY-SA 4.0
Venus of Eliseevichi, a grayish headless and legless female figurine shown from the back.
The Venus of Eliseevichi, a Paleolithic female figurine, shown from the back.
February 2025 © · CC0

Identification

TitleVenus of Eliseevichi
Alternative nameVenus von Jelissejewitschi
TypeVenus figurine

Historical context

Cultural periodEpigravettian

Discovery and provenance

Discovery date1930
Discovery locationnear the Sudost River, Bryansk Oblast, western Russia

Physical characteristics

Height15 cm

Materials

Materialmammoth ivory

Appearance

Depicted figurea young woman
Stylistic comparisonresembles the Venus impudique from Laugerie-Basse in France
Stylistic noteAlthough classified as a Venus, it does not appear stylistically similar to other Russian Paleolithic figurines such as the Venus figurines of Kostenki and Gagarino

Location and ownership

Current locationHermitage Museum