Lot 21D
Greece, Tanagra, Boeotia, ca. 4th century BCE. One of the finest Tanagra figures we have seen, this piece depicts a standing woman draped in a heavy himation over a chiton that wraps sensuously around her slender body and falls to the floor, covering all but the tips of her feet. The chiton has a crinkled texture at the bottom of the skirt and a stiff neckline reminiscent of a kimono. The neckline is incredibly well done on this figure, very thin and formed so that the neck can be seen inside of it. The woman has her hair in a tight chignon at the back of her neck, with small earrings and a distinctive crown-like headdress that seems composed of dangling, leaf-shaped items, three on either side of her head. Her hair is parted in the middle and her face is depicted gazing downward, her neck tilted slightly. Excellent pigment remains, giving us an idea of the original coloring of the figure - red at her lips, a dusky purple on her himation, deep red on her hair, and white on her face and much of her clothing. Size: 3.5" W x 11" H (8.9 cm x 27.9 cm)
Inspired by historical knowledge such as that collected at the Library of Alexandria, prominent Hellenistic art collectors commissioned large pieces based on public statues from the earlier Classical Period. More available art forms like this one echoed the naturalistic, detailed classical style that reached a pinnacle in small statuary during the Hellenistic period. Artisans looked to inspiration not only from the past but also from what they observed around them - usually women. Terracotta figures have been found in private dwellings where they may have been part of a shrine or had a religious purpose. Others decorate tombs and sanctuaries - in Tanagra, the site that this style of figure is named for, some of the over 10,000 graves found there have up to a dozen of these statuettes. Perhaps they represented mourners, dressed in finery to attend a funeral.
Compare to a similar example from Christie's, sold for $25,360 in December, 2016: http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/a-greek-terracotta-female-figure-tanagra-hellenistic-6041279-details.aspx
Provenance: private Swiss collection
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#124220
- Condition: Very well done repairs that are almost impossible to see. Small losses to the tips of the crown. Deposits on surface as shown with incredible remaining pigment.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |