Hellenistic Terracotta Statuette of a Child Reclining on a Bed

Culture: Greek

Period: 3rd century B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 5.6 cm x 9 cm

Price: Sold

Ref: 2671

Provenance: Private collection D., Cannes. Acquired on 18 August 1999 at the auction of Mes Appay, Gairoard & Besch in Cannes, lot 127. Since then in the family collection. Accompanied by a copy of the invoice and the catalogue pages from 1999.

Condition: One leg of the bed has been reattached, otherwise very well preserved.

Description: A charming terracotta statuette depicting a child lying dreamily on his small bed. The rounded face, with chubby cheeks and gentle eyes, gazes alertly out at the world. The child rests upon a blanket, which falls in delicate folds around the body and is draped over the left thigh. The dreamy pose is emphasised by the crossed legs and the hands resting in the lap, making it clear that someone has made themselves truly comfortable here. The bed itself has slightly raised ends at the head and foot and stands on four sturdy legs tapering toward the bottom. See for the type the terracotta figure at Christie’s London, on 7 October 2010, lot 257, said to originate from Tarentum. Compare also similar depictions of young children from Rhodes and Tarentum in R. A. Higgins „Catalogue of the Terracottas in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities British Museum “, London 1970, p. 72-73, no. 155-157 as well as p. 345, no. 1268.