Terracotta Statuette of a Turtle from the Classical Period

Culture: Greek

Period: 5th century B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 7.5 cm long

Price: Reserved

Ref: 2645

Provenance: From the old Parisian private collection Victor Emile Gabriel Chevallier (1889-1969) and his wife Marguerite Jeanne Verel (1887-1962). Since 1969 in the Belgian collection M. X.

Condition: An old wear on the shell, minor chippings on the legs, otherwise intact.

Description: Terracotta statuette of a turtle which was once used as a toy. The animal with a massive, structured shell, short fin-shaped legs and a tapering head. The animal seems to be in motion, the head is curiously raised. An opening at the bottom was used to affix the statuette on a staff. See for terracotta turtles as toys in the Greek world: Gocha R. Tsetskhladze and N. V. Vashakidze “Terracotta Figures of Animals from Colchis”, in Dialogues d’Histoire Ancienne 20.1, 1994, p. 109-125. With an old collection sticker at the bottom.