Hellenistic Terracotta Statuette of a Woman with a Sunhat

Culture: Greek/Boeotian

Period: early 3rd century B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 28.5 cm high

Price: 9 000 Euro

Ref: 2667

Provenance: French private collection Dolly Laurette Cohen (1929-2023), acquired in the 1980s. On 1 April 2022 in the court-ordered auction of the private collection Madame Cohen with Drouot in Paris, lot 40. Accompanied by a TL test of 12 February 2021 confirming the age of the figure.

Condition: The right hand with some wear, the mirror is lost, otherwise very beautifully preserved.

Description: An exceptionally graceful terracotta statuette of a woman standing in contrapposto, made of reddish clay. She has crossed her right leg in front of her left supporting leg and gazes absently into her palm, which she holds out in front of her. There she once held a mirror, today lost. The left arm is placed in front of her chest. The hand holds the himation, which is wrapped around her hip and cascades in folds to the bottom, and a “tholia”, a sunhat with a pointy crown and broad round brim. Her head sits atop a long neck with a Venus fold. The face is following the beauty ideal with delicate features and a small mouth formed to a gentle smile. The cheeks are round, the nose straight and the gaze full of grace. The wavy hair is parted in the middle and bound together to a bun on top. Blossoms and leaves adorn the hairstyle. The statuette stands on its original plinth and has in the back the typical venting hole. From Boeotia. Accompanied by a TL test confirming the age of the figurine.