bust;
hanging lamp(?)
- Museum number
- 1995,0619.1
- Description
-
Terracotta bust of Demeter.
A bust of a goddess, probably Demeter, wearing a chiton, and veiled, her himation passing over a high plain diadem, crossing her breasts and continuing over her left shoulder. Her head is turned slightly to her left; her hair has a centre parting and is brushed to each side. The bust rests on a curved plainfaced plinth, which has two wick-holes with wick-rests below, to enable its owner to use the object as a lamp, probably in a household shrine. The back is plain, except for a triangular filling-hole cut through it, and a pierced suspension-lug applied behind the diadem.
Hollow; two-piece mould, with floor of oilchamber added. Micaceous brown Nile silt, with the remains of a white dressing on the front, but not on the plinth, the face of which is painted green. Slight pre-firing damage to the right cheek.
- Production date
- 250BC-150BC (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 11.80 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- BM Terracotta IV
Bibliog. Christie’s South Kensington Sale Catalogue, 25 April 1995: lot 59/3.
- Location
- On display (G22/dc8)
- Acquisition date
- 1995
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1995,0619.1
