LOT 0643

Roman Terracotta Figurine of Eros

CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C.

4 1/2 in. (49 grams total, 11.5 cm including stand).

Represented nude and winged, with detailed head crowned by dressed locks and a low petasos, the face beautifully modelled with delicate features; accompanied by a custom-made display stand.

Ex P. A., Hertfordshire, UK, specialist collection of Greek art, 1980-1990s.

Cf. Lambrothanassi, E., Touloumtzidou, A., 'A Terracotta Figurine of a War Elephant and Other Finds from a Grave at Thessaloniki' in 'Rosenthal-Heginbottom, R., Kogler, P. and Rudolph, W., Journal of Hellenistic Pottery and culture, no.1, 2016, fig.2, 14-15.

These figurines were often deposited inside the graves of children. In Thessaloniki, a winged Eros very similar to this was deposited in a grave. From the small size of the skeleton, with a maximum length of 1,10 m, and from the grave offerings, the archaeologists deduced that it belonged to a boy who was accompanied by his beloved and necessary possessions, but also by those providing escort and entertainment beyond this world. Unguentaria were placed on either side of the femoral bones, two on one and a single one on the other, two strigils along the eastern side of the grave near the head, a coin on the chest, and several terracotta figurines near the north-eastern corner near the head, while a handle-less bowl was placed very close to the face.