Etruscan Votive Face

Culture: Etruscan

Period: 3rd - 2nd century B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 10.5 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 4205

Provenance: Christie's auction from the 1980s, with an old label at the bottom of the base. Thence in a New York collection and in the New York art market.

Condition: Intact

Description: Votive offering made from a mold in the form of a sculptural, less than life-sized face with naturalistic features. The deep sitting eyes peeking vigilantly out behind thick lids. Iris and pupils are recognizable. The nose is straight and finely drawn, the mouth with its bulging lips is slightly open. Especially during the Hellenistic period votive offerings to gods, which depict anatomic details, were very popular in entire Etruria. One hoped for relief from physical suffering and expressed gratitude for the healing that had already occurred. Face votives like the present one possibly also stood for the whole person, who thus placed themselves under divine protection. Mounted on a plexiglass stand.