Greek Hellenistic Terracotta Figure - Dwarf Grotesque

**Originally Listed At $200**

Greece, late Hellenistic Period, ca. 2nd to 1st century BCE. A hollow-molded terracotta figurine depicting a female dwarf grotesque seated with bent, attenuated legs. Her corpulent belly hangs between bent knees and has pendulous breasts draped atop, her right arm held with an outward-facing palm, and her left supports a small bowl. The expressive visage is composed of squinting eyes, a bulbous nose, full lips, and rounded cheeks, all beneath a pierced conical cap. Size: 1.875" W x 2.8" H (4.8 cm x 7.1 cm).

The designation of a figure as a "grotesque" does not denote a revolting or otherwise off-putting presentation but rather one of life-like accuracy. An artist would create grotesque figures to display a heightened sense of realism, sculpting and illustrating features in a lucid manner rather than stylizing the features to make them appear pleasing to the eye. Though some artists used the maladies and deformations of others to create exaggerated caricatures, others used such negatively-perceived aspects of certain individuals as a means of expressing them in a true-to-life approach.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-William Froelich collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 1970s

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#144115
Condition Report: Repaired from a few large pieces with light resurfacing along break lines. Softening to some finer details, with minor nicks to base, arms, and head, with light encrustations. Nice earthen deposits throughout.