Collection Item – Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

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Terracotta sculpture of the face of a woman; Unattributed; Hellenistic; 222.15

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleTerracotta sculpture of the face of a woman

About this objectThis is a clay sculpture of the face of a woman is mounted on a metal rod and attached to a cylindrical wooden base. The woman has a small face with a calm expression, complete with short, curly hair, a flat roman-shaped nose, small inset eyes, and a small bare smile.

The figure is made of a very dark orange-brown clay and has been overpainted with a light grey plaster or slip. The mask may have been mould-made, judging by the smoothness of the face, the hollow back, and the thick interior walls.

This piece represents a Greco-Roman crossover in artistic styles, with Roman features on a Greek-inspired piece of art. it was possibly part of a frieze or an architectural element. The flat surface on the reverse of the mask suggests that it may have been pre-made and adhered onto a larger scene or sculpture.

MakerUnattributed

Maker Rolen/a

Date MadeHellenistic

PeriodHellenistic

Place MadeCyprus

Place Notes'Cypriote’ written on the reverse of the mask in pencil.

Medium and MaterialsTerracotta, metal, wood, resin, slip

Style and IconographyHellenistic

Inscription and Marks'Cypriote’ written on the reverse of the mask in pencil

TechniqueMolding (forming)

TechniqueSculpting

MeasurementsMask - 127 x 93 x 55mm
With stand 310 x 100 x 100mm

1.19kg (including base)

Subject and Association KeywordsWomen in art

Subject and Association KeywordsFigurative art

Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Credit LineDonated by Mr W.H. Alington, 2015. From the collection of Dr H.D. Broadhead.

Object TypeFigurine

Object number222.15