Hellenistic Terracotta Head of a Woman with Elaborate Wreath

Object Description

A fine, ancient Greek, Hellenistic terracotta fragment, depicting a female head modelled in the round. The woman’s head is turned and tilted, creating a slight three-quarter pose. Her face displays delicate classical features: an oval face, a long, straight nose, almond-shaped eyes and a full mouth. Her hair is gathered up in an elaborate hairstyle, surmounted by a festival wreath headdress. A thick stippled wreath is decorated with vine leaves, flowers and fruit. The addition of a wreath implies that the woman could be Ariadne, Dionysus’ consort, or Demeter, goddess of harvest and fertility. Supplied with a custom-made stand.

Date: Circa 400 – 200 BC

Object History

Private London collection; previously acquired on the Belgian art market; originally in the collection of C Whitehead, Brussels 1990’s

Object Condition

Good, facial features are clear but worn. Chip to the tip of the nose, chips to the headdress and the hair. Hole to the back of the head.

Object Details