WEB AUCTION 88 - ANTIQUITIES

Bronze Age Terracotta Idol, ca. 1300 - 1000 BC; height cm 9,2, length cm 6,2. Provenance: English private collection, acquired by the current owner in Germany before 2000s.

Etruscan Bucchero Mourner, ca. 650 - 630 BC; height cm 7,6; When in 1836 near Cerveteri the Regolini-Galassi tomb was discovered, thirty-three statuettes in bucchero clay were found inside, all of which are without feet so they could be inserted into the ground and arranged along the three sides of the bronze bed in the antechamber; some would perhaps have been arranged in the cell at the right hand side in two rows at the sides of the urn. They represent female figures in various poses, almost as if to suggest a sequence of movements in the ritual gestures of mourning that would have taken place during the display of the body (prothesis) prior to being transported to the tomb (ekphora). In the first group, both of the hands are held below the chin; in the second group the left hand is held under the chin and the other on the abdomen; in the third group the position is inverted; and in the fourth group, a hand rests on the right cheek, while the other lies towards the lower part of the abdomen. The figures all wear a long tunic decorated with geometric motifs, held with a belt. The long hair is curled on the head and worn in braids which lie along the back down to the level of the legs. Reference: similar specimens in Firenze, also in Vatican from Cerveteri, Regolini-Galassi Tomb (cat. 20374-20375, 20381-20382, 20402-20404). Provenance: Property of a gentleman; acquired on the European art market between 1960s and 1980s.

Etruscan Terracotta Big Portrait, 4th - 3rd century BC; height cm 29; A naturalistic terracotta head depicting a young girl, realized with an incredibly realistic visage comprised of open and delined shaped eyes, an aquiline nose, plumed lips, naturalistic ears. The young girl wears a smooth diadem, from which strands of wavy hair descend on her forehead; the hair is gathered in a high knot and falls into outlined and curled strands. Provenance: English private collection, acquired before 2000.

Etrusco-Campanian Terracotta Antefix, 5th century BC; height cm 17, length cm 16. Provenance: English private collection, acquired by the current owner in Germany before 2000s.

Greek Terracotta Antefix with Acheloo, 5th - 4th century BC; height cm 16, length cm 22; Characterized by archaic style with almond shape eyes, pointed ears and rounded horns, which resembled the greek deity of Acheloo often depicted as a satyr with horns, in memory of his mythological transformation first in the bull and then in the man with taurine head; Restored nose. Provenance: ex BFA, Auction 43, lot 6; property of a gentleman; acquired on the European art market between 1960s and 1980s.

Greek Terracotta Antefix with Silenus, 5th - 4th century BC; height cm 17, length cm 18. Provenance: English private collection, according to the heirs possibly purchased in some auction or Art Gallery during 1970s-1980s.

Greek Terracotta Antefix with Goddess, 4th century BC; height cm 17,5, length cm 16,5; The antefix is partially restored on the left side. Provenance: English private collection, acquired by the current owner in Germany before 2000s.

Greek Terracotta Female Statuette, 4th - 2nd century BC; height cm 14,8. Provenance: English private collection, according to the heirs possibly purchased in some auction or Art Gallery during 1970s-1980s.

Greek Hellenistic Terracotta Aphrodite, 3rd century BC; height cm 19, diam. (stand) cm 12,5; This is the representation of the "Birth of Aphrodite", a theme beloved in Classical time. The Goddess is emerging from an open scallop shell, she is depicted with her knees bent on a cylindrical plinth. She is naked and a cloak wraps part of her legs, held with her right hand; her hair falls on her right shoulder and is adorned with a marine diadem. Traces of whitening are preserved; gluing repairs on neck, arms, scallop shell and stand. Provenance: English private collection formed between 1970s and 1990s.

Greek Hellenistic Terracotta Eros, 2nd century BC; height cm 11,5; Very fine statuette of a winged Eros playing a lyre. The rich polychrome is still preserved. Provenance: English private collection, according to the heirs possibly purchased in some auction or Art Gallery during 1970s-1980s.

Greek Hellenistic Terracotta Young Herakles Strangling Snakes, 3rd century BC; height cm 9,5. Provenance: ex BFA, Auction 36, lot 9; private collection, London; formerly with Hôtel Drouot, Paris.

Italic Terracotta Portrait, 4th - 3rd century BC; height cm 22; Intact. Provenance: English private collection, acquired by the current owner in Germany before 2000s.