Fine Greek Boeotian Terracotta Bird-Faced Idol

Ancient Greece, Boeotia, ca. first half of the 6th century BCE. A lovely, hand-built pottery idol of a characteristically abstract form with a flared, concave base, a plank-form body, and outstretched nubbin arms. The thick neck tapers gradually to form a minimalist, 'beaked' face complete with zigzagging bangs and large eyes, and the head is topped with a polos and a curled frontal ornament. Additional dark slip pigment adorns her body and forms rectangular boxes on her abdomen, slender frets around her base, and a pendant necklace draped atop her bosom. Size: 2.45" W x 5.7" H (6.2 cm x 14.5 cm); 6.1" H (15.5 cm) on included custom stand.

Cf. "Idols: The Beginning of Abstract Form." Ariadne Galleries, Inc., New York, November 30, 1989 to January 31, 1990, p. 72, fig. 45

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Basil W.R. Jenkins collection, California, USA, acquired 1980 to 1990s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#168064
Condition Report: Minor abrasions and nicks to arms, base, and head, with fading to slip pigment, and light encrustations in some scattered areas, otherwise intact and excellent. Nice remains of pigment across body and great preservation to overall form. Old inventory number written in graphite beneath base.