Terracotta protome of a goddess

Unknown

early 5th century BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

This large, beautiful protome consists of a veiled head and unarticulated expanse of neck and throat. The face is modeled in late Archaic style with sharply cut curls, narrow eyes, and closed lips raised at the corners in a smile. It is not possible to know which goddess is represented. Such masks were dedicated at sanctuaries and also placed in tombs. They have holes at the top to permit them to be hung up.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 5th century BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, Rhodian

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1906