The isolated position of the Cycladic islands meant that Cycladic culture developed strong traditions that remained unchanged for centuries. An example of this is the production of marble figurines, the most characteristic of Cycladic artefacts. We do not know why the figurines were made or who they represented. However, they continued to be made for hundreds of years so they must have been important to the islanders. Such figurines are also found in Crete and on the coast of Attica, while a few examples come from even further afield. This reflects cultural influences from the Cyclades, and in fact some Cycladic islanders probably lived on Crete.

The figurines come in two basic types, schematic and naturalistic. The schematic types include ‘Violin’ figurines and are often barely recognisable as human forms. Among the most naturalistic examples are figures engaged in specific activities such as playing musical instruments. The most common type are the ‘folded arm’ figurines. These are female, their form reduced to a few key components and with no features apart from a sculpted nose. Facial features, hair or headdresses and other decorative patterns were often originally painted on. Because the feet point downwards, they must have been designed to lie down, or to be propped up or carried.