Greece, Hellenistic period, ca. early 3rd century BCE. A beautiful, hollow mold-formed terracotta standing votive figure depicting a young woman with her weight on her right leg, wearing a chiton and himation arranged to cover everything except one foot, one hand, and her neck line. Her peaceful countenance displays almond-shaped eyes, a petite nose, full lips, and slender cheeks, all presented below a centrally-parted coiffure and a simple hair net. The statue has a primarily dark-brown coloration, though remnants of original white pigment are visible in the recesses of her vestments. Size: 3.125" W x 9.375" H (7.9 cm x 23.8 cm).

During the Hellenistic Period, Greeks had access knowledge about the past through institutions like the Library of Alexandria, creating a sense of history and connection to the Greeks who had come before them. Prominent Hellenistic art collectors commissioned pieces based on public statues from the earlier Classical Period, and smaller, more available art forms like this sculpture echoed the naturalistic, detailed classical style. Terracotta figures like this one have been found in private dwellings where they may have been part of a shrine or had a religious purpose. Others decorate tombs and sanctuaries - in Tanagra, the site that this style of figure is named for, some graves have up to a dozen of these statuettes. Perhaps they represented mourners, dressed in finery to attend a funeral.

Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection; ex-Bonhams, London, Knightsbridge Antiquities Auction (May 8, 2013, part of lot 157); ex-Joseph Klein collection, New York, New York, USA, formed between 1941 and 1980, thence by descent

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#132935

Statue repaired from multiple pieces, specifically the verso, head, and along central mold line, with small chips and light adhesive residue along break lines. Age-commensurate surface wear, fading to some facial details, small chips and nicks to base, body, and head, with some discoloration, otherwise very good. Nice earthen deposits and visible pigmentation remnants within recessed areas.