ostracon ancient art
catalogue

Etruscan Terracotta Head from an Antefix, 500-450 BC

Etruscan polychrome male head with calm 'archaic smile'.

The oval face with raised almond shaped eyes beneath finely arched eyebrows; straight nose and heavy chin.

Applied red-ochre for the male skin. The eyes contoured black with red-brown irises; the white eyeballs confer the figure a piercing glance. Dark red for the lips and on some of the partially preserved curls.

For related heads cf. no. 336 and 337 in: Ines Stucker. Italy of the Etruscans. Jerusalem 1991.

H. 12.3 cm (4.8 in)

Fragmentary. Tip of the nose damaged. Fine preservation of the polychromy.

Ex Heidi Vollmoeller collection, Zurich

3500 USD