Greek Terracotta Head

Standing figure tightly wrapped in a himation with both hands clenching the fabric draped close to the body. Over 500 kg, 152 cm high



Prof. Dr. Ernst Berger (1928-2006), Basel, acquired between 1961-1993. with Jean-David Cahn, Basel, 2009. On loan to the Antikenmuseum und Sammlung Ludwig, Basel, 1993-2009. Accompanied by an academic report by Professor Neritan Ceka. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12213-222441.

Despite the damage, the statue appears to be a high quality piece of work by a virtuoso sculptor. The sparing use of strong movements and their diagonal contrast in the hand and foot placement suggests an early Hellenistic date for this type of sculpture, known from a few examples from Attica and the islands. Similar representations of women wearing the chiton and himation during the Hellenistic period are seen in the Tanagra type terracottas of the 4th century BC.

Formed from a single square-section filament rolled into two 'spectacle' discs; one of the spirals terminating in a long pin, the other in a hook serving as the catchplate; openwork figure-of-eight at the centre; pin present broken, coils separated. 159 grams, 17 cm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

Modelled in the round with a muscular nude body, his club resting on his shoulder and the hair dressed in rows of tight, close-set curls underneath the Nemean lionskin hood with cloak billowing over his left arm, the paws tied across his chest; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 290 grams total, 14.5 cm high (19.5 cm high including stand)

Fine condition, excellent uniform patina.

with Sotheby's, New York, 21 November 1985, no.60. Ex private New York collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11794-206497.

The statuette assumes the position of the 'attacking Hercules', which characterises numerous Etruscan statues of the hero of the classical era, however, with a less aggressive stance. The type was probably an Etruscan creation of the 5th century B.C., based on Greek models, which lasted until the end of the Hellenistic period, when Etruria was by then incorporated into the Roman world. This statuette, despite certain anatomical stylisation and an impersonal characterisation of the face, is the result of a good artistic and technical quality. The comparison of the artwork with the group identified as ‘Trieste’ from Colonna shows that this specimen is more recent and should be dated to the end of the Hellenistic Age. These small statuettes were probably offered ex-voto by the Romano-Etruscan aristocracy of the period.