Ancient Egypt, Ptolemaic Large 21cm Votive Terracotta Bust of Athena with Aegis
02
days
03
hours
13
minutes
40
seconds
Current bid
€ 100
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 700 - € 850
 | €100 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €1 |
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 145304 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Description from the seller
Title: Votive Terracotta Bust of Athena with Aegis
Culture/Origin: Ptolemaic or Roman Provincial Egypt
Chronology: 3rd Century BC – 1st Century AD
Material: Terracotta
Dimensions: Height 21 cm
Technique: Bivalve mold, hollow terracotta
Artwork Description:
An important terracotta bust depicting the goddess Athena (Minerva), representing an excellent example of provincial coroplastic art produced in the workshops of Greco-Roman Egypt. Standing at a notable height of 21 cm, the sculpture is characterized by its frontal rigidity and strong plastic synthesis—hallmarks of Alexandrian and Ptolemaic production, where Hellenistic aesthetic canons seamlessly merged with local traditions.
The deity is portrayed with her classic martial attributes. She wears a tall crested helmet, featuring the original circular firing vent at the apex (a technical necessity for hollow, bivalve-molded sculptures, often utilized for suspension or the insertion of external elements). Her chest is protected by the imposing Aegis, deeply incised with a geometric cross-hatched diamond pattern that simulates its scaled texture, culminating in the center with a stylized gorgoneion.
The idealized facial features display a natural, time-worn patina.
Minor surface wear and small chips—particularly visible on the chin and cheek—expose the pristine, original core of the fired clay beneath the ancient slip. This detail serves as an empirical verification of the artifact's genuine historicity, guaranteeing the absolute absence of invasive modern restorations, synthetic fills, or repainting.
The iconography of Athena in the Egyptian territory is of significant historical interest, as the goddess was frequently subject to syncretism with the ancient Egyptian deity Neith, the formidable goddess of war and hunting venerated in Sais.
State of Preservation:
Excellent overall condition, consistent with its age and archaeological context.
The piece is structurally sound and intact in its original votive bust form. It exhibits natural surface wear and the expected loss of the original slip on the highest points of relief, confirming its antiquity.
Seller's Story
We are a gallery specialising in ancient art and archaeology, founded on a deep passion for history and the civilisations of the past.
Our work focuses on the research and careful selection of material evidence from the great civilisations of antiquity, with a particular interest in the Classical world, Etruscan, Egyptian and Mesopotamian cultures, and the Ancient Near East.
Our philosophy is rooted in the pursuit of objects that stand out not merely for their age, but also for their rarity, distinctive forms, historical significance and artistic merit. We favour unusual and carefully selected antiquities, often offering fascinating insights into lesser-known aspects of ancient civilisations.
Each object is thoughtfully selected and studied for its historical, stylistic and archaeological characteristics, with the aim of offering collectors authentic pieces of particular interest.
We believe that every antiquity holds a story, and that our role is to preserve, appreciate and pass on these remarkable testimonies of the past to a new generation of collectors.
Expertise, research, discerning selection and a passion for the ancient world are the principles that guide our work.
Every object has a story to tell.
Translated by Google TranslateTitle: Votive Terracotta Bust of Athena with Aegis
Culture/Origin: Ptolemaic or Roman Provincial Egypt
Chronology: 3rd Century BC – 1st Century AD
Material: Terracotta
Dimensions: Height 21 cm
Technique: Bivalve mold, hollow terracotta
Artwork Description:
An important terracotta bust depicting the goddess Athena (Minerva), representing an excellent example of provincial coroplastic art produced in the workshops of Greco-Roman Egypt. Standing at a notable height of 21 cm, the sculpture is characterized by its frontal rigidity and strong plastic synthesis—hallmarks of Alexandrian and Ptolemaic production, where Hellenistic aesthetic canons seamlessly merged with local traditions.
The deity is portrayed with her classic martial attributes. She wears a tall crested helmet, featuring the original circular firing vent at the apex (a technical necessity for hollow, bivalve-molded sculptures, often utilized for suspension or the insertion of external elements). Her chest is protected by the imposing Aegis, deeply incised with a geometric cross-hatched diamond pattern that simulates its scaled texture, culminating in the center with a stylized gorgoneion.
The idealized facial features display a natural, time-worn patina.
Minor surface wear and small chips—particularly visible on the chin and cheek—expose the pristine, original core of the fired clay beneath the ancient slip. This detail serves as an empirical verification of the artifact's genuine historicity, guaranteeing the absolute absence of invasive modern restorations, synthetic fills, or repainting.
The iconography of Athena in the Egyptian territory is of significant historical interest, as the goddess was frequently subject to syncretism with the ancient Egyptian deity Neith, the formidable goddess of war and hunting venerated in Sais.
State of Preservation:
Excellent overall condition, consistent with its age and archaeological context.
The piece is structurally sound and intact in its original votive bust form. It exhibits natural surface wear and the expected loss of the original slip on the highest points of relief, confirming its antiquity.
Seller's Story
We are a gallery specialising in ancient art and archaeology, founded on a deep passion for history and the civilisations of the past.
Our work focuses on the research and careful selection of material evidence from the great civilisations of antiquity, with a particular interest in the Classical world, Etruscan, Egyptian and Mesopotamian cultures, and the Ancient Near East.
Our philosophy is rooted in the pursuit of objects that stand out not merely for their age, but also for their rarity, distinctive forms, historical significance and artistic merit. We favour unusual and carefully selected antiquities, often offering fascinating insights into lesser-known aspects of ancient civilisations.
Each object is thoughtfully selected and studied for its historical, stylistic and archaeological characteristics, with the aim of offering collectors authentic pieces of particular interest.
We believe that every antiquity holds a story, and that our role is to preserve, appreciate and pass on these remarkable testimonies of the past to a new generation of collectors.
Expertise, research, discerning selection and a passion for the ancient world are the principles that guide our work.
Every object has a story to tell.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Ancient Egypt, Ptolemaic
Century/timeframe
3rd Century BC – 1st Century AD
Name of object
Large 21cm Votive Terracotta Bust of Athena with Aegis
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2026
Country acquired from
France
Condition
Very good +
Previous owner acquired from
Auction house
Previous owner - year acquired
1970
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
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
