Ancient Greek, Magna Graecia Terracotta Polychrome Gorgoneion Tondo with Spanish import License and 19th century provenance - 17 cm
04
days
22
hours
13
minutes
18
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Current bid
€ 8,150
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 12,000 - € 15,000
 | €8,150 | |
|---|---|---|
| €7,650 | |
| €7,150 | |
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Polychrome terracotta Canosan Hellenistic Gorgoneion tondo, 17 cm in diameter, dating to the 3rd century BC, with a white slip and surviving pink and blue polychromy, in excellent condition, titled Polychrome Gorgoneion Tondo with Spanish import license and 19th‑century provenance, acquired at auction in Germany in 2026 from a French private collection.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Finely modelled terracotta tondo covered with a white slip and decorated with surviving traces of polychromy. The relief is framed by a bead-and-reel border. At the centre is a frontal Gorgoneion with a youthful, idealised face, flanked by wings at the temples and framed by thick, voluminous curls. Two intertwined serpents emerge beneath the hair at the base of the neck. The surrounding field is decorated with three rows of overlapping, leaf-shaped aegis scales, increasing in size towards the outer edge. Traces of the original pink and blue pigments remain particularly well preserved within the recessed areas of the relief. The combination of refined modelling, complex iconography and surviving polychromy makes this an exceptional example of Canosan Hellenistic terracotta production.
This terracotta tondo was produced in ancient Canusium, modern-day Canosa di Puglia in Apulia, during the 3rd century BC. Canosa was one of the most important and distinctive centres of ceramic and terracotta production in Magna Graecia during the Hellenistic period. Canosan vessels and reliefs are particularly renowned for their funerary context and for their characteristic white slip decorated with pigments applied after firing. The vivid pink and blue polychromy associated with these objects has given rise to the term “Magenta Ware”. Gorgoneia were an important decorative and protective motif in the funerary art of southern Italy, combining the apotropaic character traditionally associated with the Gorgon with the refined, idealised aesthetics of Hellenistic art.
Condition: Excellent condition for an ancient terracotta of this age. The relief is exceptionally well preserved and remains clearly defined. Visible traces of the original pink and blue pigments survive in the recessed areas.
Provenance: French private collection from 19th century. German Auction House 2022. Acquired in Germany 2026.
Statement seen by Catawiki. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
Due to Switzerland customs regulations, this lot cannot be sold to customers residing in Switzerland
Seller's Story
Ifergan Gallery – Ancient Art is an antique art gallery located in Malaga, with more than 10 years of experience specializing in ancient art and archaeology. The pieces we offer come from the Ifergan Collection Museum, which guarantees their historical value and quality. Our goal is to bring authentic archaeological pieces to both collectors and those who wish to start collecting, offering original works for different budgets and always with the maximum guarantees. All our pieces have been legally acquired and are shipped with a certificate of authenticity and export permit issued by the Spanish Ministry of Culture, with fast and secure shipping via DHL Express.
Finely modelled terracotta tondo covered with a white slip and decorated with surviving traces of polychromy. The relief is framed by a bead-and-reel border. At the centre is a frontal Gorgoneion with a youthful, idealised face, flanked by wings at the temples and framed by thick, voluminous curls. Two intertwined serpents emerge beneath the hair at the base of the neck. The surrounding field is decorated with three rows of overlapping, leaf-shaped aegis scales, increasing in size towards the outer edge. Traces of the original pink and blue pigments remain particularly well preserved within the recessed areas of the relief. The combination of refined modelling, complex iconography and surviving polychromy makes this an exceptional example of Canosan Hellenistic terracotta production.
This terracotta tondo was produced in ancient Canusium, modern-day Canosa di Puglia in Apulia, during the 3rd century BC. Canosa was one of the most important and distinctive centres of ceramic and terracotta production in Magna Graecia during the Hellenistic period. Canosan vessels and reliefs are particularly renowned for their funerary context and for their characteristic white slip decorated with pigments applied after firing. The vivid pink and blue polychromy associated with these objects has given rise to the term “Magenta Ware”. Gorgoneia were an important decorative and protective motif in the funerary art of southern Italy, combining the apotropaic character traditionally associated with the Gorgon with the refined, idealised aesthetics of Hellenistic art.
Condition: Excellent condition for an ancient terracotta of this age. The relief is exceptionally well preserved and remains clearly defined. Visible traces of the original pink and blue pigments survive in the recessed areas.
Provenance: French private collection from 19th century. German Auction House 2022. Acquired in Germany 2026.
Statement seen by Catawiki. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
Due to Switzerland customs regulations, this lot cannot be sold to customers residing in Switzerland
Seller's Story
Ifergan Gallery – Ancient Art is an antique art gallery located in Malaga, with more than 10 years of experience specializing in ancient art and archaeology. The pieces we offer come from the Ifergan Collection Museum, which guarantees their historical value and quality. Our goal is to bring authentic archaeological pieces to both collectors and those who wish to start collecting, offering original works for different budgets and always with the maximum guarantees. All our pieces have been legally acquired and are shipped with a certificate of authenticity and export permit issued by the Spanish Ministry of Culture, with fast and secure shipping via DHL Express.
Details
Culture
Ancient Greek, Magna Graecia
Century/timeframe
3rd Century b.C.
Name of object
Polychrome Gorgoneion Tondo with Spanish import License and 19th century provenance
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2026
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Excellent
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
17 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1800
Width
17 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
