Greece, Archaic Period, ca. 6th to 5th century BCE. A mold-made votive head of a man with naturalistic features and an "Archaic smile", which has been taken by art historians to mean that the subject is intended to appear alive and peaceful. He has a broad face with a prominent chin and wide, fleshy lips. His hair is curled and his brow line is accentuated. 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. Originally, this piece would have been brightly painted. Size: 5.1" W x 6.2" H (13 cm x 15.7 cm); 7.25" H (18.4 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 a desire to create 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 Healy collection, Studio City, California, USA, acquired over the last twenty years

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#127236

Loss to lower corner as shown. Figure has been repaired and restored with overpainting on lower part, on and around the chin.