Lovely Etruscan Pottery Head of a Young Female

About Auction

Live

Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages

By Artemis Gallery

Nov 4, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-11-04 10:00:00 2021-11-04 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-art-through-the-ages-7799
Ancient art from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, as well as Asian, Fossils, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Fine art, and much more! All categories, all price ranges... all legally acquired and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

View Full Catalog (379)

• Lot Description
  Classical World, Etruria (Italy), ca. 4th to 3rd century BCE. A stunning mold-made terracotta votive depicting the head of a young woman. Supported by an elegantly long neck, her visage displays the epitome of classical beauty with almond-shaped eyes beneath a straight brow, a sharp nose, and bowed lips held slightly parted. A characteristically Etruscan coiffure of thick, wavy locks crowns her head, held back by a headband and gently hooded by her himation. The unarticulated verso forms her veil, which flares outwards on either side of her graceful neck. The elegant head is further adorned by applied clay ornaments, such as lovely earrings and circular fibulae flanking the base of her neck. Votive heads like this example were placed in temples as forms of requests or offerings to thank the gods. Such offerings were especially prolific during times of conflict. This example is particularly fine, with wonderfully preserved details. Size: 7.4" W x 10.5" H (18.8 cm x 26.7 cm); 13.8" H (35.1 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  In some ways, the ancients of the Classical World were not very different from us. Just like today, youth and beauty were idealized, and flawless facial features represented purity and innocence. Scholars have posited that Etruscan portrayals like this example probably did not represent individuals. Nevertheless, this bust and others like it have incredibly lifelike details; just look at those eyes and gently parted lips! What's more, this visage would have been beautifully painted to imbue it with even more humanity.
  
  Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection
  
  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.
  
  #168075

  Condition

  Fragment of a larger piece. Loss to tip of nose and bottom of right earring. Stable fissure travels horizontally across temples, eyes, and base of nose. Expected softening of details as well as light abrasions and a few nicks. Otherwise, excellent with nice earthen deposits.
• Shipping Info

  • All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.

• Buyer's Premium
  • 26.50 %