Loveday Antiques Ltd

Description

A fine Ancient Etruscan Votive Female Bust with wonderful perseveration of traces of the original pigment and important provenance.

Italy - Circa 4th - 3rd Century BC

Provenance
Donati Arte Classica, Lugano
Sold in 1974 to a private Swiss collection
Sold Christie’s, New York, 8 June 2001, lot 57
Private USA Collection


This very fine terracotta bust or statuette, crafted in the 4th / 3rd Century BC in the Etruria region of Italy, was a votive piece influenced by classical Greek tradition but adapted in the Etruscan period to reflect the new pantheon of deities worshipped in the region.

The hollow mould-made head with her centre-parted hair pulled back into a bun at the nape of her neck, the long oval face with lidded almond-shaped eyes, a prominent nose, small lips and rounded chin, wearing pendant ovoid earrings and a thick necklace, drapery falling along her shoulders, traces of pigment preserved, including blue for the left eye, mounted on a lacquered display stand.

Votive pieces such as this one served the purpose of representing the person depicted engaging with the gods. These offerings were taken to the temples of the respective deities and left there with a prayer, with the hope that the request would be fulfilled.

According to Jean MacIntosh Turfa in "The Religion of the Etruscans" (2006), our interpretation of votive gifts is often influenced by modern beliefs, but archaeological evidence suggests that the gods of the Mediterranean desired material offerings.
Votives were both gifts to the gods and symbolic representations of the giver's wishes. Moreover, the gods themselves were represented in these temples and shrines through sculptures, symbolising divine communion in human terms through artefacts.

Most surviving votive offerings today are representations of various parts of the human body, intended to be placed in shrines to gods and goddesses associated with healing. These representations symbolised the hope for healing of the afflicted body part. For instance, a sculpted foot might symbolise the wish for healing of a broken foot. Furthermore, some votive offerings took the form of anatomical representations, such as the one found in the Getty Museum in California.



Portrait pieces such as our own are more difficult to interpret. It may be that they were left in gratitude after a medical healing had taken place or they may have entirely different connotations. Perhaps they were used to make requests for good fortune, love etc. and were not intended to have any associations with physical ailments. They are certainly much rarer and, of course, are more decorative in the conventional sense as a result.

Two good comparatives to our piece are found in the British Museum, both of the same period and of a similar aesthetic value.



Width: 8 3/4 inches - 22cm
Height: 11 inches - 28cm
Depth: 4 inches - 10cm
Loveday Antiques is a family run business originally established since 1969 in London. Now in its second generation, Loveday Antiques specialises in an eclectic mix of 18th to 20th Century European furniture and works of art, with a strong emphasis on quality, uniqueness and colour.

As proud members of LAPADA, the largest association for professional art and antique dealers in the United Kingdom and members of CINOA, the worldwide association for antique dealers you can buy from us with 100% confidence and reassurance as we are committed to upholding and abiding by the strict standards of each association.
Our clients can rest assured that each item is as described and photographed.

All Items are sold with 100% satisfaction 14 day money back guarantee, return delivery will be charged for.

FREE UK MAINLAND SHIPPING INCLUDED WITHIN THE PRICE.
(possible surcharge for remote areas of Wales and Scotland)

Delivery within the mainland UK will usually be with 7 to 14 days but please allow up to 28 days. We also ship worldwide with a professional bespoke crating service and large International couriers via air and sea to almost all locations. Please contact us at Loveday Antiques with your full postal address for a very competitive quote.

GOODS
All items listed are in excellent condition having been restored using traditional methods by experienced cabinet makers and polishers keeping the original colour and patina wherever possible.
Please bear in mind you may find the usual markings with antique furniture that are commensurate with age which all add to beauty and uniqueness of the item.

VIEWINGS
We have a reputation for being long established antique dealers in London having had showrooms concurrently running in Islington, Chelsea and Ascot. We have relocated our new showroom, due to London overheads, easily reached between A1 or A10 to just outside of Hertford, Hertfordshire.
We will happily arrange for clients to be collected travelling via train. Local stations being Hertford North, Stevenage and Ware, all being a 10 minute drive from us.

Please contact us for location and appointments.

Telephone 01438 869 819

Email info@lovedayantiques.co.uk

Payments accepted are Bank Transfer, Cheque, Major Credit Cards or Cash.

Opening Times
Monday to Saturday 9.00am - 5.30pm Please email or call beforehand to make an appointment.
If outside of these times again please call to make an appointment

We have more than 40 years experience in supplying Antique furniture to the trade, public and interior designers from all parts of the world so please buy with confidence as we have passed the test of time.