Large Etruscan Terracotta Votive Statue of a Young Man

Culture: Etruscan

Period: 4th-3rd century B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 59.5 cm

Price: 8 000 Euro

Ref: 4228

Provenance: French private collection, acquired from gallery Pierre-Eric Becker on 5 July 1998. With a copy of the invoice. Thence with Bonhams Paris on 14 November 2023, lot 10. Last in the German art market. Accompanied by a French antiquites passport.

Condition: An ancient wear on the veil above the head, otherwise intact with beautiful age patina.

Description: Large terracotta statue of a young man whose body is completely wrapped in a long cloak that leaves only his toes exposed at the bottom and is also pulled over the back of his head. The face with friendly features. The eyes are vigilant, almost shining, the mouth formed to a smile. The short, wavy hair frames the face and leaves the ears free. On the back the round venting hole. Terracotta votive offerings came up in Etruria already in the 5th century B.C. and were very popular. Mostly these votives depict body parts, for which one asked the gods for healing. Votive heads representing a person were also very common. However, complete depictions of the human form, such as the present one, were exceedingly rare. See for two similar votive statues Christie’s auction New York on 5 June 2014, lot 106, as well as in I. Jucker “Italy of the Etruscans”, number 351.