Ancient Greek Terracotta Bust of a Woman
£ 750.00
A fine, ancient Greek, hollow-moulded terracotta bust fragment of a female figure, from the region of Boeotia. The face has been delicately rendered with naturalistic facial features, with clearly modelled eyes, nose, and mouth, offering a serene expression. Her elegant neck extends downwards towards her sloping bare shoulders, and the bust is cut-off at her upper chest. The figure is depicted with an up-do hairstyle, the texture of her wavy hair finely rendered at the front, and wearing opulent earrings. The piece displays traces of the original white slip, and was probably part of a larger statue. The hollow interior of the head is visible from the back, and mounted on a custom-made rectangular black stand.
Date: Circa 5th - 4th Century BC
Condition: Good Condition, fragmentary with clear features. Minor wear as consistent with its age such as scratches to the surface. Some of the original white slip remains of the surface. The reverse of head features two perforations at the top.
In stock
Terracotta statuettes such as this beautiful example, were potted in a specific region in north Attica, Boeotia, famous for its terracotta production of votive statuettes and figurines. Terracotta figurines are the most common sculpture types found in Greek art, including across Hellenistic sites. They vary from simple crude figures to finely rendered creations. Although present in a variety of different circumstances, a common usage was as a votive offering in funerary and sanctuary contexts. Terracotta figures were cheap to make and easily replicable, making them well suited for this purpose. All Greek sculptural production was originally polychrome. Few examples of statues and statuettes have come down to modern times in their original condition with their polychromy intact.
To find out more about votive offerings and polychromy in ancient art, please read our relevant blog posts: Ancient Greek Votive Offerings in Antiquity: Gifts to the Gods and Polychromy in Ancient Greece.
