Head Magna Graecia, Southern Italy, Hellenistic Period, 3rd Century Bc.

Magnificent terracotta head probably representing Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. The face, imbued with softness and sensuality, is framed by wavy hair stylized in a sophisticated headdress, with two large braids falling over the shoulders. The ears are covered with shell-shaped ornaments, adding a unique refinement to this representation. Materials: Orange terracotta, chips and losses of time that do not alter the readability of the face. Very slight filling at the end of the nose. See photos. Mediterranean Basin, Magna Graecia, Southern Italy, probably Campania. Hellenistic period, 3rd century BC. Dimensions: 8.6 x 7 x 5.5 cm. With base: 12.5 cm Provenance: former François Leboiteux collection, Paris, after succession, acquired by the latter at the former Galerie Pytheas, R Reboul, Paris. Sold with certificate of authenticity from Galerie Pytheas and expert Serge Reynes. Guarantee of origin and period. * Shipping costs on estimate. Representations of Aphrodite were particularly popular in Magna Graecia, a region influenced by classical Greek culture. Terracotta sculptures were commonly used for votive offerings or as decorative elements, testifying to the religious fervor and artistic excellence of this period. The delicate details of this head, such as the braids and shell ornaments, reinforce the association with Aphrodite, often linked to the sea and its mythical birth from the waves. The finesse of the modeling and the soft expression reflect the aesthetic canons of the Hellenistic period, marked by a search for idealization and naturalism.