Ancient Greek

Finely modelled terracotta tondo covered with a white slip and decorated with surviving traces of polychromy. The relief is framed by a bead-and-reel border. At the centre is a frontal Gorgoneion with a youthful, idealised face, flanked by wings at the temples and framed by thick, voluminous curls. Two intertwined serpents emerge beneath the hair at the base of the neck. The surrounding field is decorated with three rows of overlapping, leaf-shaped aegis scales, increasing in size towards the outer edge. Traces of the original pink and blue pigments remain particularly well preserved within the recessed areas of the relief. The combination of refined modelling, complex iconography and surviving polychromy makes this an exceptional example of Canosan Hellenistic terracotta production. This terracotta tondo was produced in ancient Canusium, modern-day Canosa di Puglia in Apulia, during the 3rd century BC. Canosa was one of the most important and distinctive centres of ceramic and terracotta production in Magna Graecia during the Hellenistic period. Canosan vessels and reliefs are particularly renowned for their funerary context and for their characteristic white slip decorated with pigments applied after firing. The vivid pink and blue polychromy associated with these objects has given rise to the term “Magenta Ware”. Gorgoneia were an important decorative and protective motif in the funerary art of southern Italy, combining the apotropaic character traditionally associated with the Gorgon with the refined, idealised aesthetics of Hellenistic art. Condition: Excellent condition for an ancient terracotta of this age. The relief is exceptionally well preserved and remains clearly defined. Visible traces of the original pink and blue pigments survive in the recessed areas. Provenance: French private collection from 19th century. German Auction House 2022. Acquired in Germany 2026. Statement seen by Catawiki. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days. Due to Switzerland customs regulations, this lot cannot be sold to customers residing in Switzerland

Estimate:£10,156.41

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