GREEK TERRACOTTA SEATED GODDESS

Magna Graecia, Ca. Late 5th century BC
A deity is shown in a sitting position, she is holding a bird to her breast with her right hand. She wears a garment that covers her body to the floor, with a V neckline. Her face has early classic features, her wavy hair is parted in the center, and contained in saccos in the back. There are applied rosettes, one on each shoulder, and one mid-arm. The moulded statuette is made of fine, yellow clay, typical of its place of origin, Taras in south Italy. Similar statuettes of enthroned deities holding a dove, come from Corinth, and they are usually identified as Demeter.
Size: L:145mm / W:50mm ; 245g
Provenance: Property of a Central London gallery, acquired on the US Art market; ex. Private NYC collection, acquired from Harmer Rooke, NYC, auction XXI, 1988.
Estimate: GBP 750 - 1500