Greek Terracotta Protome Mask
Late 6th-early 5th century B.C. Modelled as a female head with rounded oval face, slightly bulging eyes and pronounced chin, indistinct smiling mouth with thin lips, outline of ears; low straight polos with fastening hole. Cf. Van Rooijen, G., Goddesses of Akragas, a study of terracotta votive figurines from Sicily, Leiden, 2021, nos.96, 163, for similar. 133 grams, 10.5 cm (4 1/8 in.).

Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.

The figure belongs to a common type known from mainland Greece and the islands. The head clearly shows the so-called 'Archaic smile' visible on the dedicatory protomes of the same typology. They were terracotta votive offerings attached with a nail to the shrine of a goddess for ex-voto or to receive the grace of the represented goddess (Demeter?). [No Reserve]