Hellenistic Terracotta Statuette of a Woman from Tarentum

Culture: Greek/Tarentum

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

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 21.6 cm high

Price: 4 600 Euro

Ref: 2683

Provenance: French private collection of Gérard Roudier, acquired on 24 December 1979 from Gérard Barré in Saint-Malo. With original invoice, index card, and TL test dated 10 January 2022 confirming the age of the statuette.

Condition: The head professionally reattached without loss and invisibly restored. A tiny chip to the left side of the hair knot, otherwise wonderfully preserved.

Description: Very finely crafted terracotta statuette of a woman from Tarentum. She wears a floor-length, horizontally pleated chiton, from beneath which only her bent left relaxed leg peeks out. A long cloak is wrapped around her neck and left arm, falling over her right shoulder at the front, the end of which she holds with her left hand. She rests her right bare arm on her hip. The woman has a slightly rounded face with friendly features. Her small mouth with full lips is shaped into a gentle smile. Her wavy hair is parted in the middle and tied in a knot at the back. Above her forehead, it is held in place by a broad band. With beautiful remains of colour. See for comparison with the woman’s pose, the terracotta statuette in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, with object number 11.212.16, which likewise originates from Tarentum. With a TL test, confirming the age of the statuette.