Greek Terracotta Pomegranate. 6th-3rd century B.C. A hollow terracotta pomegranate with one segmented side; pierced at either end for suspension; small patches of pink-red paint remain; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 102 grams, 74 mm (217 grams total, 11.5 cm high including stand) (3 in. (4 1/2 in.) German art market, 1990. Ex Gilbert collection, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Such objects were deposited as grave goods in ancient Greece. The pomegranate in this context is symbolic of Persephone, daughter of the goddess Demeter, who was abducted and tricked by Hades into eating pomegranate seeds, condemning her to spend part of the year in the Underworld as his wife and the rest among the living with her mother.

Fine condition.