Statuette Representing Baubo On His Boar - Greco-roman Art - Egypt

Rare Roman terracotta statuette representing Baubo on his wild boar. Egyptian work from Alexandria, Naucratis or Fayoum. End of the Greek period, beginning of the Roman period Accidents and losses clearly visible 10 cm high 5.5 cm wide 11 cm high with the base I found two similar examples. The first is part of the collections of the LACMA Museum in Los Angeles (M.80.202.274). The second went to the auction room in Louisville in the United States on May 21, 2015 (appraised between $1,150 and $1,750). Who is Baubo? The name “baubo” refers to the Orphic version of the myth of Demeter, reported by Clement of Alexandria. The hymn tells that the goddess, despaired by the kidnapping of her daughter Persephone by Hades, found refuge in Eleusis where she was taken in by Baubo. She invites him to drink, but receives a refusal from Demeter. She then decides to lift her skirts, thus revealing her private parts to him. In surprise, the goddess bursts out laughing, overcomes her pain and accepts the drink. Baubo type figurines are to be understood both as a fundamental stage in the long evolution of Egyptian female figurines as well as a hybrid tradition, mixing obvious Greek influences with Egyptian traditions and undoubtedly also oriental influences, with functions apotropaic.