Western Greece, Archaic Period, ca. 5th to 4th century BCE. A pottery bust of a woman - perhaps a goddess - with a dramatic coiffure and a tall, pointed coronet or tiara above a realistic, serious face. 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. Upon its original creation, this piece would have been painted in vibrant pigments. Size: 12" W x 14.25" H (30.5 cm x 36.2 cm)

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 a desire to create more naturalistic representations of the human figure. The earliest examples demonstrate an Egyptian influence in both pose and proportions, but over time sculptors created even more lifelike representations. Protomes like this example demonstrate these developing naturalistic leanings of Greek visual culture, 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 East Coast, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#138595

Repaired and restored from multiple pieces, notably below the neck, across the upper body, and at the top of the crown. Part of the crown is lost. Nice preservation of facial features with heavy encrustation on surface. Small collection label on the lower part of the body.