South Italian Figurine: Fragmentary Head

Inv. No.: 95.070a
Provenance: South Italy (Metaponto)
Date: 5th-4th century BC
Height: 118mm
Width: 104mm
 
A fragment of a figurine, consisting of the head of a woman wearing an elaborate head-dress. The woman has an oval face with classical, even features. Her wavy hair is carefully drawn back from, and frames, her face. She may be wearing a stephane above which is a wide, low basket piled with fruit (?). The clay is a light orange-buff colour with dark incrustation on the front surface. The inner surface is a darker orange colour. It is difficult to find an exact comparison with this piece, but there are some similarities with Boeotian male and female figurines of the late fifth and early fourth centuries that also have intricate hairstyles and extravagant head-dresses.

Function:
Probably used for votive or funerary purposes.

Manufacture:
A mould-made piece with a hollow back.

 

Bibliography:
Higgins, R. A., Greek Terracottas, London, Methuen, 1967, 78, 80.

Comparanda:
Higgins, R. A., Greek Terracottas, London, Methuen, 1967, Plates 33 D and 34 E.