Lot 0031

Greek Canosan Terracotta Dolphin

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Item Details

Description

Magna Graecia, South Italy, Canosan, ca. 4th to 3rd century BCE. A skillfully modeled terracotta dolphin with a friendly visage and characteristic features including a pointy rostrum, melon, dorsal fin, pectoral fins, and blow hole - as well as a high-raised tail. The finish retains pastel hues - white (body), sky blue (tail and fins), and pink (rostrum) - favored by Canosan potters. The playful dolphin was adored by the ancient Greeks who called them philomousoi, which means music lovers, because they believed that dolphins danced when they heard harmonious music. Furthermore, Taras, the mythological founder of the Greek city Tarentum of south coast Italy, was thought to ride there on a dolphin, and the ancient city presented an image of a man riding a dolphin on its coins. Size: 8.375" L (21.3 cm)

In addition, the Homeric Hymn to Dionysus tells the story of a band of pirates capturing Dionysus who magically turned them all into dolphins. What's more Herodotus tells a story about how when the poet Arion who was kidnapped by pirates, jumped overboard, and was rescued by a dolphin who carried him to shore.

Canosa, or Canosion as it was known then, was a major center of the ceramics and pottery trade when it was a Greek polis. It produced truly unique pottery, completely different in decoration style (although not in shape) from earlier and neighboring traditions. The clay is buff, with the decoration applied directly to it without the use of slip. The entire body was covered with white slip, oftentimes followed by a second ground of pastel pink or blue.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#135281

Condition

Tip of one pectoral fin reattached. Expected surface wear commensurate with age, but nice traces of white, sky blue, and pink pigments remain. Areas of encrustation grace the surface as well.

Buyer's Premium

24.5%

Greek Canosan Terracotta Dolphin

Name: Greek Canosan Terracotta Dolphin
SKU: 62608335
Price: 850 USD
Availability: InStock

Estimate $1,500 - $2,000

See Sold Price

Starting Price $800

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