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HOME :
Classical Antiquities :
Greco-Roman Art : Sculpture of a Head
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Sculpture of a Head - P.1656
Origin: Sinai, Egypt
Circa: 200
BC
to 200
AD
Dimensions:
2" (5.1cm) high
x 1.5" (3.8cm) wide
Collection: Classical
Medium: Terracotta
$220.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
Since the dawn of time, man has offered votives
to win the benign favor of his gods. Sometimes
these were perishable gifts of food, or wine, or
livestock. At other times they were figures of
stone, metal or clay--votives of a more enduring
nature. The art of the sculpted clay votive
reached its peak in the Hellenistic age, when the
artistic influence of Classical Greece spread
throughout the Mediterranean and Near East. In
and around Alexandria--where the Olympian
gods were mixed freely with those of ancient
Egypt--the temples were filled to overflowing
with lively depictions of deities, royalty, actors
and ordinary folk. As gifts to the gods, these
could not be destroyed, so periodically the
votives were buried in pits to make room for new
offerings. When we look upon their features
today--sometimes agelessly beautiful, divine,
regal or aloof, sometimes comic or infinitely
wise--we come face to face with the human
past.
- (P.1656)
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