Massive Archaic Greek Terracotta Statuette of a Seated Goddess Demeter

Bearing the weight of her body on her left leg, wearing a himation draped over her arms, the right arm bent to grasp a part of the himation that falls behind her, leaving her shoulders uncovered and revealing her naked body; the head turned slightly to the left; the hair arranged in the typical flattering melon coiffure, parted into six large sections and gathered into a low bun; oval face with a small, fleshy mouth and a fine nose; wearing large circular earrings; her right hand resting on top of a small pillar, covered by the cloak; the lower part of the himation embroidered with volutes; the back flat with a square hole for attachment; red-brown pigment on the hair, white coating, traces of pink on the himation and red on the edges of the feet. 493 grams, 22.5 cm high



Collected in the 1950s-1990s. Ex R. Liechti collection (1934-2010), acquired in Geneva. Accompanied by an academic report by Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11999-211931. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

In particular in South Italy, two types of female statuettes leaning on small pillars were widespread, derived from Tanagra prototypes: the first type dressed in a high-belted chiton with crowned head, the second consisting of partially draped or nude female figures identified as Aphrodite, like our specimen. The Tanagra production ended in about 200 B.C., but the models created by the Boeotian workshops would continue to be produced until the end of the 1st century B.C. The statuette shows extensive traces of the original polychromy, characterised by strongly contrasting hues in keeping with the local style. The Tanagrine elements are mainly identifiable in the ‘melon coiffure’, the intense red colour of the hair and the pose characterised by the turned hip.

With burnished deep brown surfaces, the body tapering to a flat foot, the shoulders decorated with vertical ribbing, short neck with flared mouth; wide openwork handle perforated with small triangles and rectangles, hatched bands along the edges of the handle and the perforations. 1.1 kg, 24 cm



Acquired from Mr Eugene Berman circa 1960. From the private collection of Mr Ulfert Wilke. In the collection of Dr Howard Sirak, Columbus, Ohio, USA; acquired from the above in 1969. Ancient Resource Auctions, California, USA, May 2020. Property of a South Australian private collector, with collection reference 20.02. Accompanied by a detailed collector's catalogue page including description and photograph. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

The de Puma catalogue cites this piece as no. 5.5 from the Sirak Collection (original sticker is on base; note De Puma’s appraisal does not provide a concordance with Wilke). The catalogue was for the exhibition at the University of Iowa Museum of Art from 17 March to 30 April 1971. Richard De Puma appraised Sirak’s collection of ancient pottery on 18 September 1979; Inv. 20.02 was noted as appraisal item 15 and valued at USD 650. Old collection sticker '188' on base; overlain is sticker from Sirak collection, 'LR 3V'. Sticker 147B refers to the lot number for the first time it was offered at auction by Ancient Resource Auctions in 2015.

Comprising: one with flared shank, one lateral loop and openwork square; one with ellipsoid openwork loop and D-shaped bracket to reverse. 52.7 grams total, 49-61 mm



Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.