Greek Tarentine Terracotta Rosette Appliqué
Greek Tarentine Terracotta Rosette Appliqué
Greek Tarentine Terracotta Rosette Appliqué
Greek Tarentine Terracotta Rosette Appliqué

Greek Tarentine Terracotta Rosette Appliqué

£ 125.00

A fine, Ancient Greek, terracotta fitting in the form of a five-petalled rosette. The petals surround a perforated domed centre. Each petal is slightly concave, with the edge curved inwards. Subtle traces of gold dusting on the surface suggest that the piece was at least partially gilded. The reverse is flattened and unadorned. The rosette was most likely a sarcophagus fitting. Such appliqués in the form of rosettes are known to have been used as decoration on wooden sarcophagi in Tarantum.

Date: Circa 4th-3rd Century BC
Provenance: Kuizenga collection, the Netherlands, acquired in Dortmund, 15th November 1993.
Condition: Very fine condition. Earthly encrustation to the surface, minor wear and chipping, particularly to the edges. Remnants of gilding to the surface.

In stock

SKU: SK-205 Category: Tags: , ,

Appliques of this type belong to a specific group of gilded terracotta appliques modelled in high relief, popular in the area of Tarentum.  Rosettes such as these are known to have been used as decoration on wooden sarcophagi and funerary furniture. Tarentum, modern days Taranto, was one of the largest Greek colonies in South Italy, mythically founded by Taras. In Greek mythology the hero Taras was shipwrecked and his father Poseidon, from preventing him to drown, sent him a dolphin, which Taras rode to traverse the sea. Once on shore, Taras founded a new city, Tarentum, which he named after him.

Weight 19.45 g
Dimensions W 5.7 x H 0.8 cm
Culture

Region

Pottery and Porcelain

Reference: For a similar item, The British Museum, item 2002,0926.5

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