Central Greece, Boeotia, ca. 3rd century BCE. A wonderful example of a Greek Tanagra terracotta figure, her form elegantly wrapped in a thin himation and standing with her right hand gripping its flowing draperies and her left hand on her hip, though concealed by billowing fabrics. The lady's head is gently turned toward her right, slightly bowed and adorned with a dramatic coiffure. Her painted face is calm and expressionless, giving her the impression of gazing down at something dispassionately. She stands atop an integral round pedestal with the tips of her toes peeking out from under her clothing. This is an elegant example with extensive detailing and considerable remaining white, pink, and red pigment still gracing the surface. Size: 3" W x 12.2" H (7.6 cm x 31 cm)
Tanagra figures are named after the site in Boeotia, central Greece, where thousands of similar figures were unearthed in the early 1870s. Figures of men, children, and comic actors were also found at Tanagra, but standing female figures are the most numerous. The chief appeal of Tanagra figures lies in their exceptional artistic quality usually considered to be the finest of all Greek ceramic figurines. The ladies are normally depicted in casual poses and their clothes, which usually consist of a thinner undergarment, the chiton, worn beneath a thicker cloak or himation, are typically pulled and twisted in pleasing patterns which emphasize the form of the figure beneath. Most Tanagra figures are mold made, and sometimes have a vent cut in the back to ensure even distribution of heat in the firing. After firing, the figure was coated in a white slip, and then colors were added. The artists who produced these figures were known as coroplasts, literally meaning 'modelers of girls.'
This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.
Provenance: ex-Arte Primitivo Gallery, New York, New York, USA (auction #96, December 6, 2019, lot 496); ex-private New York, New York, USA and Paris, France collection, acquired in the 1970s to 1980s; ex-La Reine Margot, Paris, France
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#153146
Condition
Small area around foot and the neck have been expertly repaired and restored. This is incredibly well done and almost impossible to discern. Great deposits on surface and really nice remaining pigment, especially on the head. Two small holes drilled on body for TL test.