Greek Terracotta Head of a Goddess

With a flared and stepped foot, poppy-head border around the lower body and neck, strap handles with palmettes to the upper faces opening to two columnar legs; red-figure scenes to the neck and body: Side A, Europa's abduction: standing bearded figure in profile wearing a loose himation holding the lid of a krater in one hand facing a female figure in draped himation revealing one breast, turning to face the male while mounted on an advancing bull and carrying a frond; Side B, Dionysiac scene: satyr standing nude, playing a lyre beside a standing robed male wearing a laurel wreath in his hair, dancing female in active pose with musical instruments in each hand, turning to face the robed figure; some restoration. 5.85 kg, 44.5 cm high

Red-figure technique, with certain details highlighted in a wine-colored hue. The surface has taken on a light yellow hue throughout. Some cracks, and the varnish is chipped in some place.

German private collection (870632). Anonymous sale, Hampel Fine Arts auction, Munich, 21 September 2012, no.625. Private collection, acquired on the German art market. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Jacques Chamay. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13218-249222.

The two figurative scenes are of equal importance. The Dionysian one depicts the god, in the centre, between a satyr playing a lyre and a dancing maenad. The other scene depicts a well-known subject: the abduction of Europa. This is the daughter of Agenor, king of Tyre in Phoenicia. Of great beauty, she is desired by Zeus. He approaches her in the form of a white bull while she is playing on the beach. Initially frightened, the young woman begins to caress the animal, then becomes more daring and climbs onto its back. Zeus immediately abducts her and rushes out to sea, toward Crete. There, he will be united with Europa, who will bear him three children, including Minos.

Modelled with large prominent ears and neatly cut short hair, rounded facial detailing with large eyes and flattened nose, the upper body and hands wrapped inside a pleated cloak, hollow to the reverse; the bust emerging from a lotus flower resting atop a lion's claw foot with a mounting spike on the reverse; mounted on a display stand. 130 grams total, 11.9 cm including stand



Collection of Ambassador G.P., nr.126, before 1965. with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland.

Including terracotta statue heads, amphora handle with old inked inscription on label to verso, which reads: 'AMPHORA HANDLE / PICKED UP ON SEA / BED OFF EAST SIDE / PARAMALI POINT, CYPRUS / 31 AUGUST 1968.' and other items. 739 grams total, 5.1-13 cm



From a late Hampshire gentleman's collection, formed from the 1960s.

One of the terracotta heads belongs to a votive statue, which by its shape seems to belong to Demeter or to the priestess of the Mother Goddess venerated in the Sanctuary of Arsos (Cyprus). The other one, also votive, showing a high headgear, represents most probably a Phoenician divinity, or a Levantine head of a priest.