Etrusco-Italic Terracotta Herakles

4th century BC. A terracotta figure modelled as the god Herakles (Hercules) standing nude, his club held in his right hand, wearing a lionskin cloak with the jaw serving as a hood, semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing to the muscular torso, genitals and face. See the Herakles from the Cesnola collection, at the Metropolitan Museum of New York, inventory no.74.51.2455; see also the bronze figure in the MET inventory no. 96.9.430, and the other limestone Heracles from Cyprus (4th century BC) in the Cesnola collection, inv. no.74.51.2660. 1.6 kg, 31.5cm high (12 1/4"). UK collection, 1980s-1990s. Acquired from a shop in Chichester, UK. Herakles is presented here as a hero of extraordinary strength and vitality but also as a beautifully groomed and civilised individual. This aspect is emphasised on many iconographies, where Herakles is equal to the god Apollo. The statuette was probably made as a dedication in a sanctuary. The rigidity of the statuette in influenced by archaic models of the hero, already visible in Phoenician-Cypriot art.[A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website.]
Condition Report: Fine condition.