In Cyclades islands, marble of good quality was produced in Palos, Naxos and Amorgos, the production of marble statuettes was vigorous. These statuettes first appeared in the Early Cycladic I period (EC I:3200-2800 B.C.). The earliest form is "Fiddle-idle"(fig.1), named after the shape which recalls modern violin. A naked squatting woman was highly stylized into the form. In the Early Cycladic II period (EC II:2800-2300 B.C.), the statuettes of more realistic but still very stylized form were begun to be produced.

Fig.1 Fiddle Idle

The commonest type is a naked woman standing on tiptoe with head tilted back and arms crossed over the breast(fig.2). The flat head is usually oval in shape with the flatter at the top. The nose is generally modeled as a high ridge and the eyes and the mouth were painted. A few examples are male figures playing harp or pipe.

Fig.2 Cycladic Idle

Some scholars consider these idols were buried in tombs as maids serving dead persons such as Egyptian Shabti figures. The others think these were amulets or statuettes of goddesses or nymphs.

In the Early Cycladic III period, 2300-2000 B.C., the manufacture of these figures fell off sharply and disappeared in Middle Cycladic period.