Etruscan Antefix of a Maenad

Culture: Etruscan

Period: Late 6th century B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 16 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 4097

Provenance: English private collection, acquired between 1960 and 1990.

Condition: Fragment of high quality.

Description: Antefix in form of a woman's head with archaic features, depicting a maenad, a companion of Dionysus. The eyes are almond-shaped, slightly looking downwards. Her mouth forming a gentle smile, the chin pointed. Her hair on the forehead wavy and behind her ears cascading in long curls. The towering diadem with a broad line decoration. Large parts of the original red, white and brown color still preserved. Possibly a head fragment of a once kneeling maenad. See for reference of this type of antefix the kneeling kore (maenad) in the Fordham Museum of Greek, Etruscan and Roman Art, Bronx, New York. Mounted.