Terracotta Votive Statuette of a Anglerfish

Culture: Greek/Campania

Period: mid 4th century B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 11.8 cm x 12 cm

Price: 6 000 Euro

Ref: 2664

Provenance: Private collection Ohrtmann, Germany. Thence with Antikenkabinett Gackstätter with the list number 3848. There acquired in 2004 by the Swiss collection Charles and Hedy Indlekofer. With the original certificate by Bernd Gackstätter and an excerpt of the Art Loss Register of 24 January 2005.

Condition: Red slip rubbed in some areas. The left pectoral fin and the sickle of the caudal fin have been reattached almost invisibly. Overall very impressively preserved.

Description: Rare and extraordinarily naturalistically worked out terracotta votive statue of an anglerfish. The figure made of sand-coloured clay with red slip depicts a fish in its typical waylay posture with a raised, crescent-shaped caudal fin. The mouth is open and ready to snap, the thick row of teeth is visible. The head with large eyes and the characteristic folds above is skilfully accentuated. Both tapering fins are raised on the sides. On top the cone-like dorsal fin protrudes. The bottom is flat. Anglerfish were a particularly popular motif in the decoration of the well-known South Italian fish plates. See for example Norbert Kunisch „Griechische Fischteller. Natur und Bild“, Berlin 1989, tab. III, p.143. As votive statuettes they are much rarer. Probably from Campania.