Ancient Greek, Classical Period Terracotta Large Protomé - 11 cm
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Current bid
€ 47
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Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 400 - € 450
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 Bidder 5931 | €47 |
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Description from the seller
Large bust of a goddess (so-called protome) with diadem and prominent nose. A cloak is draped over the head. The back is hollow. The almost semi-cylindrical shape derived from the hollow mold characterizes it as a protome type native to and widespread from the Ionian East. This protome is larger than most offered specimens.
Protomoi are a 'leading form of the East Greek workshops.' Their quality and large size place them close to early large sculptures. The form has been imitated in Boeotia, but especially in large Greek workshops.
Since archaic times, the Protomen have been a popular form of small cult image for domestic use. They were produced specifically in Ionia and Attica but were also adopted by Boeotia.
Protomen were consecrated as votives in sanctuaries; they are not found in graves. The depiction of the figure represents the entire form. Hung on a pillar and draped with cloth as a body, they could also serve as improvised divine images. Protomen are documented in sanctuaries dedicated to various deities throughout the Greek world.
Period: 5th Century BC
Origin: Greece
MATERIAL: terracotta
Condition: intact. Bump on the left cheek and at the lower end.
Dimensions: L: 11 cm x W: 7 cm x H: 5.5 cm. Above average size!
Weight: 159 grams
Origin
Acquired in 2025 from a renowned British auction house. Previously owned before 1999 by the Swiss classical archaeologist, numismatist, and antique dealer Herbert Adolf Cahn, father of the current Basel antique dealer Jean-David Cahn.
A copy of the 2025 invoice and the auction house's authenticity certificate will be provided to the buyer upon request.
Comparison objects
The provided link is a URL and does not contain translatable text. Therefore, the translation focuses on explaining this. The tone is neutral and informative, suitable for clarifying the nature of the content. Proper nouns such as 'Louvre' are preserved as they are recognized names. No idioms or cultural references are present, and the URL remains unchanged.
Kekulé von Stradonitz, Reinhard: The ancient terracottas (Volume III): The types of figural terracottas. Berlin and others, 1903, p. 236, no. 3 and 8. URL: https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/winter1903.
Paul: Ancient worlds in clay, Plate 15, No. 37.
4) Florian S. Knauß: The figurative terracottas of the State Antiquities Collections Munich, Munich 2014, C18-C21.
Important information
Shipping only within the European Union.
Large bust of a goddess (so-called protome) with diadem and prominent nose. A cloak is draped over the head. The back is hollow. The almost semi-cylindrical shape derived from the hollow mold characterizes it as a protome type native to and widespread from the Ionian East. This protome is larger than most offered specimens.
Protomoi are a 'leading form of the East Greek workshops.' Their quality and large size place them close to early large sculptures. The form has been imitated in Boeotia, but especially in large Greek workshops.
Since archaic times, the Protomen have been a popular form of small cult image for domestic use. They were produced specifically in Ionia and Attica but were also adopted by Boeotia.
Protomen were consecrated as votives in sanctuaries; they are not found in graves. The depiction of the figure represents the entire form. Hung on a pillar and draped with cloth as a body, they could also serve as improvised divine images. Protomen are documented in sanctuaries dedicated to various deities throughout the Greek world.
Period: 5th Century BC
Origin: Greece
MATERIAL: terracotta
Condition: intact. Bump on the left cheek and at the lower end.
Dimensions: L: 11 cm x W: 7 cm x H: 5.5 cm. Above average size!
Weight: 159 grams
Origin
Acquired in 2025 from a renowned British auction house. Previously owned before 1999 by the Swiss classical archaeologist, numismatist, and antique dealer Herbert Adolf Cahn, father of the current Basel antique dealer Jean-David Cahn.
A copy of the 2025 invoice and the auction house's authenticity certificate will be provided to the buyer upon request.
Comparison objects
The provided link is a URL and does not contain translatable text. Therefore, the translation focuses on explaining this. The tone is neutral and informative, suitable for clarifying the nature of the content. Proper nouns such as 'Louvre' are preserved as they are recognized names. No idioms or cultural references are present, and the URL remains unchanged.
Kekulé von Stradonitz, Reinhard: The ancient terracottas (Volume III): The types of figural terracottas. Berlin and others, 1903, p. 236, no. 3 and 8. URL: https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/winter1903.
Paul: Ancient worlds in clay, Plate 15, No. 37.
4) Florian S. Knauß: The figurative terracottas of the State Antiquities Collections Munich, Munich 2014, C18-C21.
Important information
Shipping only within the European Union.
Details
Culture
Ancient Greek, Classical Period
Century/ Timeframe
5th Century BC
Name of object
Large Protomé
Acquired from
Auction house
Subject/Depiction
Goddess
Year acquired
2025
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
United Kingdom
Condition
Intact. Small bump on the left cheek and at the lower end.
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
11 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1999
Width
7 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Switzerland
Depth
5.5 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Sold by
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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.
