Lot 0031

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Archaic Greek Terracotta Protome of a Goddess: Ancient Greece, Archaic Period, ca. late 6th to early 5th century BCE. A mold-formed terracotta protome of a goddess, perhaps Demeter, with exquisite detailing on the lips, eyes, brows, nose, and wavy

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ANCIENT GREEK TERRACOTTA BUST AND HEAD OF GODDESS: Two ancient Greek terracotta artifacts, a bust of a goddess and a head of a goddess, both dating to around 500 BC. The bust of a goddess is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of the ancient Gr

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Western Greek Pottery Male Votive Protome: **Originally Listed At $300** Western Greece, Archaic period, ca. 6th to 5th century BCE. A wonderful mold-made terracotta protome of a male head wearing a vertically striated brim or coiffure with la

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Ancient pottery votive figure, terracotta, Greek: An ancient pottery votive figure of a goddess with traces of pigment remaining. Good condition with usual signs of wear and excavation.4.75" tall. Fitted to custom metal display stand.

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Greek Archaic Pottery Protome (Votive Head): Western Greece, Archaic Period, ca. 6th to 5th century BCE. A lovely mold-made earthenware protome of a female face, probably a goddess, with a slender visage, comprised of ovoid eyes, a prominent nos

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Pretty Canosan Style Terracotta Head of a Goddess: possibly Greek, Ca. 4th century BC, from Magna Grecia. Lovely female head with fine facial features and wavy hair drawn back, in a diadem. Remains of original red and white pigment. Size: 4-1/2 inches

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GREEK TERRACOTTA VOTIVE POMEGRANATE : Hellenistic, 300 - 100 BC. A votive offering moulded from terracotta in the shape of a pomegranate which has been cut open into two halves. This Terracotta Pomegranate may have been used to decorate a

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Ancient GREEK. Terracotta Tanagra figurine circa 300 BC.: Ancient GREEK. Terracotta Tanagra figurine circa 300 BC. Size 11 1/4 inches high.+ stand. Large Tanagran polychrome terracotta standing female figure . Her hair is ornamented with a flower garland. We

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GREEK TERRACOTTA VOTIVE POMEGRANATE : Eastern Greek, Ca. 400 BC. A naturalistic sculptural rendering of a pomegranate with a characteristically globular form, a fluted bud atop, and a pointed base. For a similar example, see The British M

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Ancient GREEK. Terracotta Tanagra figurine circa 300 BC.: Ancient GREEK. Terracotta Tanagra figurine circa 300 BC. Size 7 1/2 inches high. Unusual Tanagran polychrome terracotta seated female figure. Wearing ornate hat and drapery, original pigments. Provena

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Western Greek Terracotta Kore Holding Wreath: **Originally Listed At $1500** Western Greece, Archaic period, ca. 600 BCE. An excellent and well-preserved example of a mold-made ceramic kore, a standing woman draped in a pleated peplos beneath a l

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Lot of 2 Ancient Greek Terracotta Busts c.4th century BC.: Lot of 2 Ancient Greek Terracotta Busts c.4th century BC. Size 3 - 3 1/4 inches high. + Stand. Fine terracotta busts, fragments from full figures. Mounted on old wooden block. Provenance: Ex Long Isla

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Large Marble Bust - Greek Goddess: Dimensions coming Wednesday March 8

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Greek Terracotta Head of Youth 4th to 2nd century BCE: Greek Terracotta Head of YouthCirca 4th to 2nd century BCE. Mounted on marble.Dimensions: 1.75" w x 3" h x 1.5" d

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Ancient Greek Terracotta Votive Female Head c.5th century BC.: Ancient Greek Terracotta Votive Female Head c.5th century BC. Size 4 1/4 inches high. Fine thick walled terracotta votive head of a woman with long braided hair. Great quality and details. Provenance:

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A GREEK TERRACOTTA HEAD OF A LAUREATE: A GREEK TERRACOTTA HEAD OF A LAUREATE Greek / 5th – 3th cent. B.C. / Terracotta

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Item Details

Description

**Originally Listed At $400**

Western Greece, Archaic period, ca. 5th century BCE. A beautiful, mold-made terracotta protome depicting a goddess wearing a himation or headdress drawn up over her long hair that elegantly falls to her shoulders. Her ovoid visage displays large, almond-shaped eyes, a naturalistic nose, high cheekbones, and the signature Archaic smile. Although the exact significance of this smile is unknown, scholars suggest that the ancient Greeks associated it with good health and well being. The protome is a type of bust made by pressing a thin layer of terracotta into a single mold. These were first made in Rhodes, but from the early fifth century BCE onwards they spread throughout Greece. Note the trace remains of black and red pigment present on the surface, remains of the bright paints that previously adorned this example. Size: 1.8" L x 3" W x 4" H (4.6 cm x 7.6 cm x 10.2 cm); 5.25" H (13.3 cm) on included custom stand.

By the seventh century BCE, Greek art began to evolve from its embrace of geometric patterning, which was favored between approximately 1050 and 700 BCE, to more naturalistic representations of the human figure. Most famous are the freestanding sculptures of two main types, the male standing youth known as a kouros, and the draped standing female kore. The earliest examples demonstrate an Egyptian influence in both pose and proportions, but over time sculptors created even more lifelike representations. These were placed in sanctuaries as well as cemeteries and served as grave markers and dedications to the deities. Protomes like this example demonstrate these developing naturalistic leanings of Greek visual culture as well, with that Archaic smile signifying life and representing the Archaic ideal. They would have been dedicated in an ancient temple to the local deity, perhaps to thank the god or goddess, or to assist in making a request.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Mr. David F. Hoff collection, Virginia, USA, acquired in the 1990s

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#184745

Condition

Professionally repaired with some areas of restoration; all done very well and difficult to notice. Nicks and small chips to surface as shown, but otherwise very nice presentation with trace remains of original pigment.