Statuette of a Woman

400–250 B.C.

Medium

Terracotta with white slip and polychromy (violet, light blue, pink, purple, black)

Dimensions

16.8 × 7.5 cm

Status

In Museum Collection

Collect24 Art ID

C24-244959

The standing figure bears the weight of her body on her left leg; her right foot rests on the base of the small pillar, and her right hand rests on a capital. The head is turned slightly to the left; her left arm extends down her side and is covered by the chlaina that falls behind her, leaving her shoulders uncovered. She wears a high-waisted chiton that drops in soft folds, emphasizing the turn of her hip. Her hair, parted into six large clumps, is gathered into a low bun; on her head is an ivy wreath. Her oval face has a small, fleshy mouth and a prominent nose; she wears large circular earrings. This figure belongs to an extensive typology that became widespread in Magna Graecia in the fourth century B.C., and in particular at Taranto, where it was commonly used for generic portrayals of Aphrodite, maenads, or partially draped reclining female figures.