Lot 76
Italy, Etruria, ca. 3rd century BCE.. A haunting terracotta funerary portrait of a woman of significant beauty and grace. Votive objects such as this one are related in their purpose and similar in their style to the heads that often adorned cinerary urns employed by the Etruscans.
Despite the loss at the top of the head, we may presume that this woman was most likely depicted veiled, with her hair parted in the center and drawn toward the back in undulating waves, in the well documented "melon coiffure." Her large eyes have well-defined lids, and are set within the shadows cast by the pronounced brow above them. The pupils have been emphasized by small drilled holes. Her long, straight nose accentuates her elongated face and contrasts with the nearly horizontal yet rather small mouth which is typical of sculpted female heads of the period.
The woman wears large rosette earrings, a double strand of beads, and a large heavy necklace, the ends of which are modeled in bird-like forms. The beads of the double strand were no doubt made individually and applied to the finished piece. These necklaces echo the shape of the face as they frame the lower portion of the sculpture and balance its composition.
cf M. Bonghi Jovino, "Capua Preromana. Terracotte Votive" (Rome, 1971), pp. 75- 76. tav. XLII, cat. no. 66. For related heads on cinerary urns, see A. Massa, "The World of the Etruscans" (Geneva, 1973) pp. 83 - 84.
Approximately 12"H, 16"H on custom stand.
Provenance: Ex-Private Los Angeles, California Collection, acquired in 1989; previously with Ariadne Galleries, New York City, before 1989.
All items in this auction are legal to buy/sell under U.S. statute covering cultural patrimony per United States Code 2600, CHAPTER 14 -- CONVENTION ON CULTURAL PROPERTY, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
- Condition: Loss to top of head, but otherwise sharp detail and near choice condition.
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