Ancient Greek Hellenistic Terracotta Head, circa 3rd - 1st Century B.C.

An ancient Greek hollow-moulded terracotta head fragment of a female, executed with naturalistic facial features that remain well-defined. The piece was modelled in a two-part mould, with faint traces of the joining seam visible at mid-face, attesting to its manufacture technique. Dating to the 3rd - 1st Century B.C. Includes a custom fitted clear acrylic museum stand.

Terracotta heads served as votive offerings and numerous examples of Greek, Cypriot, and Roman figures and heads have also been excavated in Israel and Jordan. In many cases they were part of larger figurines and were placed in graves, especially for children or non-elite burials, to serve as companions for the dead, protective figures, or markers of identity.

Provenance: From the collection of Madame Suzanne Gozlan, thence by descent.