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LOT 0510
Greek Tanagra Terracotta Head of Aphrodite
CIRCA 4TH-2ND CENTURY B.C.
2 1/2 in. (38 grams total, 64 mm including stand).
With hair divided in vertical arrangements, bound on the back by a fillet, delicate rendering of mouth, nose and eyes; mounted on a custom-made display stand.
ProvenanceEx P. A., Hertfordshire, UK, specialist collection of Greek art, 1980-1990s.
LiteratureCf. Mavrogonatou, A., Terracotta figurines as grave offerings in Veoria: the funerary dimension of Aphrodite and Eros in female and child burials of the Hellenic rock-cut chamber tombs, Thessaloniki, 2018, fig.47, for a similar head on a statuette in terracotta of Aphrodite.
FootnotesIt seems that half-draped women in sculpture, whatever the pose, are quite rare before the late Hellenistic period; however, they appear as early as the 4th century B.C., on a small scale and in terracotta. North Macedonian terracotta figurines of Aphrodite or mortal girls replicate sculptural trends of the 2nd century B.C. In particular, the the classical sculptural tradition was revived during the latter half of the second century B.C., as evidenced by the figurines.
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AUCTIONS:
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Greek Gold and Carnelian Necklace
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
A section of a necklace of carnelian drop-shaped beads, each pierced in two planes and linked loop-in-loop with thin twisted gold wires, possibly later. 8.16 grams, 26 cm long
The Gans collection, Hebling Dec, Berlin, 1929. with Christie's, New York, 8 December 1999, lot 51. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11608-198969. -
Eastern Mediterranean Terracotta Jug
Iron Age, circa 700-500 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
With tapering rounded bottom, deep shoulder, tall neck pinched to a triangular shape spout, strap handle to the rear. 253 grams, 14.7 cm high
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Greek Apulian Blackware Pyxis
Circa 4th-3rd century B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
Black-glazed rounded body with two upright loop-handles, raised base, keeled edge with a thickened disc rim. 143 grams, 10.8 cm wide
Ex P. A., Hertfordshire, UK, specialist collection of Greek art, 1980-1990s. Accompanied by a copy of an old typed catalogue slip.
This pyxis was once fitted with a lid for cosmetics, powder or jewellery. Greek pottery from southern Italy is most easily identified by its glossy black finish, as seen here. It was the product of the Magna Graecia, especially in Apulia, a region in southern Italy populated by Greek colonists from the 8th century B.C. onwards, which imitated the artistic workshops of Attica and developed its own style.
