Cypriot Archaic terracotta Head: Archaic II (590-540 BC)

Archaic terracotta Head

Terracotta ¾ scale hollow male head from a votive statue, probably from a rural shrine. It appears to be in the softer Neo-Cypriot style dated by Lewe (1975, 92) as 590/580 – 550/540 BC, (or possibly the contemporary 2nd Proto-Cypriot style), probably from the Eastern half of Cyprus. Later, larger statues were more and more made from the more transportable and durable limestone. Originally the irises of the eyes and other details would have been painted. Mended fragment of statue, back of head missing. 

Hair falls thickly at the back to level with the chin, the cap has lightly indicated upturned ear-flaps.
Cf: Karageorghis 1993, pl.XXIX (3-5) p.45-46 or Pl. XIV (2) p.23

 




 

 

Size: H. 17.5cm

(Ex private collection of French industrialist J.H.E Demangeon (1904-1992). Subsequently acquired by French collectorJP, 20 Dec. 1989 (with sale document).)

(Aquired Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo 26th March 2024 lot 233)

(DJ 274 AN 254)