A Greek Terracotta Protome of the Goddess Persephone, ca. 6th - 5th century BCE

This beautiful mold-made terracotta protome depicts the goddess Persephone - Queen of the Underworld, wife of Hades, and daughter of Zeus and the harvest goddess Demeter. The goddess wears an elegant peplos and elaborate hairstyle crowned by a diadem and veil that hangs down the sides of her neck and gently folds around her body. Raising both hands to her breasts, she holds a seed in her right hand and a small flower in her left, representing her association with Spring as the vegetation goddess. There are bracelets on both wrists, delicately defined in red pigment, and a choker with drop pendants necklace around her neck. Protomes, such as this example were often used as votives, suspended on the walls of shrines, temples, and dangled on trees in sanctuaries dedicated to the goddess and her mother Demeter.

Closely related examples can be found in the Louvre (Simone Mollard-Besques, Catalogue raisonné des figurines et reliefs en terre-cuite grecs, étrusques et romains, vol. I: Époques préhellénique, géométrique, archaïque et classique, Paris, 1954, no. C82, pl. LXIX), the British Museum (R. A. Higgins, Catalogue of the Terracottas in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities in the British Museum, London, 1954, no. 842 and 857, p. 228.), and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (inv. no. 23.258).

Published:
Sotheby's, London, July 10, 1992, lot 510
J. Eisenberg, Art of the Ancient World, 1995, no. 77;
J. Eisenberg, Art of the Ancient World, 2012, no. 93;

Cf. Higgins, Catalogue of Greek Terracottas in the British Museum, 1970, nos. 842 and 857

Condition: Excellent remaining pigment highlighting details to the hair (yellow) garments (red) and necklace (white, yellow, and red). Minor firing cracks and losses that probably occurred during the molding process that do not detract. Traces of original white slip also remains. Root deposits at back and professional stabilization behind the head area. Intact and in excellent condition overall, perforated at the top for suspension.  A truly lovely example!

Dimensions: 10 1/4 in (26 cm) x 8 in (20.2 cm)

Provenance: Private English collection, J.B. collection, Bad Reichenhall, Germany, Sotheby's London, July 10, 1992, lot 510; Royal Athena Gallery 1995 and Royal Athena gallery, 2012, thereafter private NYC collection.