Ancient Greek Female Figure Fragment | Circa 4th Century BCE

Provenance & Ownership History
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Formerly in a private California, USA collection, reportedly acquired in Germany approximately 25 years ago, circa 2000–2001. The object was subsequently handled by Palmyra Heritage Gallery, New York, USA, in 2026. Palmyra Heritage Gallery is a New York-based antiquities dealer specializing in ancient art. The gallery has been active in the New York antiquities trade for decades.

The piece was later examined by Luca Salvaggio, an Italian archaeologist and specialist in ancient Mediterranean material. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the Italian Archaeological School at Athens (IASA) and is accredited for preventive archaeology by the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC). Salvaggio identified the fragment as a Greek Archaic terracotta figurine head dating to the late 6th century BCE, based on its softly modelled facial features, broad forehead, projecting nose, small mouth, rounded chin, veiled or headdress-covered head, and pale orange-buff fabric. 

$500.00
$500.00
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  • Ancient Greek terracotta female head, circa 4th century BCE
  • Video of an ancient Greek terracotta female head with a veiled hairstyle and archaeological surface deposits, circa 4th century BCE
  • Late Classical Greek terracotta head of a young woman
  • Ancient Greek female figurine fragment mounted on an acrylic stand
  • Greek terracotta woman’s head with veiled or draped hairstyle
  • Fourth-century BCE Greek terracotta head with softly modelled features
  • Ancient Greek molded terracotta figurine head with mineral deposits
  • Late Classical female terracotta sculpture from ancient Greece
  • Fragmentary Greek terracotta head with archaeological surface patina
  • Ancient Greek female head with elongated nose and rounded chin
  • Veiled female terracotta head from the Late Classical period
  • Greek archaeological terracotta fragment on a clear display stand
  • Ancient Greek terracotta figurine head formerly in a California collection
Ancient Greek terracotta female head, circa 4th century BCE
Video of an ancient Greek terracotta female head with a veiled hairstyle and archaeological surface deposits, circa 4th century BCE
Late Classical Greek terracotta head of a young woman
Ancient Greek female figurine fragment mounted on an acrylic stand
Greek terracotta woman’s head with veiled or draped hairstyle
Fourth-century BCE Greek terracotta head with softly modelled features
Ancient Greek molded terracotta figurine head with mineral deposits
Late Classical female terracotta sculpture from ancient Greece
Fragmentary Greek terracotta head with archaeological surface patina
Ancient Greek female head with elongated nose and rounded chin
Veiled female terracotta head from the Late Classical period
Greek archaeological terracotta fragment on a clear display stand
Ancient Greek terracotta figurine head formerly in a California collection
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Ancient Greek Female Figure Fragment | Circa 4th Century BCE

Description
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Historical Context & Origin

Region: Ancient Greece
Material: Terracotta, pale orange-buff fabric
Period: Archaic Period, Late 6th Century BCE

Description

This ancient Greek terracotta figurine head dates to the late 6th century BCE, during the Archaic period.

The head is characterized by a softly modelled face with a broad forehead, projecting nose, small mouth, and rounded chin. A veil or headdress covers the head and falls along both sides of the face, framing the surviving facial features.

The fragment is broken irregularly at the neck, confirming that it originally formed part of a larger terracotta figurine. Considerable age-related wear has softened the finer modelling, while mineral encrustation and surface abrasion preserve its archaeological character.

The terracotta fabric is a distinctive pale orange-buff colour, visible beneath the accumulated deposits.

Features

  • Softly modelled facial features
  • Broad forehead
  • Projecting nose
  • Small mouth and rounded chin
  • Veil or headdress falling along both sides of the face
  • Pale orange-buff terracotta fabric
  • Archaeological mineral encrustation
  • Mounted on a modern display stand

Cultural Significance

Terracotta figurines were produced widely throughout the ancient Greek world and served a variety of religious, funerary, and domestic purposes.

The simplified facial modelling and covered head of this fragment are consistent with Archaic Greek coroplastic traditions of the late 6th century BCE. Because the remainder of the original figurine and any identifying attributes are no longer present, the specific identity or function of the figure cannot be determined with certainty.

Condition

Ancient fragmentary condition. The head is broken irregularly at the neck, with a visible fissure extending across one side. Surface abrasion, mineral encrustation, pitting, minor losses, and softening of the original modelling are present throughout.

Despite the weathering, the principal facial features and veil or headdress remain clearly recognizable.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Ancient Terracotta Head Height: 2 in

Age (Approximate)

2,500–2,600 years old

Provenance

Formerly in a private California, USA collection, reportedly acquired in Germany approximately 25 years ago, circa 2000–2001. The object was subsequently handled by Palmyra Heritage Gallery, New York, USA, in 2026. Palmyra Heritage Gallery is a New York-based antiquities dealer specializing in ancient art. The gallery has been active in the New York antiquities trade for decades.

The piece was later examined by Luca Salvaggio, an Italian archaeologist and specialist in ancient Mediterranean material. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the Italian Archaeological School at Athens (IASA) and is accredited for preventive archaeology by the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC). Salvaggio identified the fragment as a Greek Archaic terracotta figurine head dating to the late 6th century BCE, based on its softly modelled facial features, broad forehead, projecting nose, small mouth, rounded chin, veiled or headdress-covered head, and pale orange-buff fabric. 

Learn More

Compare this fragment with a small 4th-century BCE Greek terracotta head of a woman preserved by the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Browse our Collection of Ancient Roman and Greek Artifacts.

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Ancient Greece
Material: Terracotta, pale orange-buff fabric
Period: Archaic Period, Late 6th Century BCE

Description

This ancient Greek terracotta figurine head dates to the late 6th century BCE, during the Archaic period.

The head is characterized by a softly modelled face with a broad forehead, projecting nose, small mouth, and rounded chin. A veil or headdress covers the head and falls along both sides of the face, framing the surviving facial features.

The fragment is broken irregularly at the neck, confirming that it originally formed part of a larger terracotta figurine. Considerable age-related wear has softened the finer modelling, while mineral encrustation and surface abrasion preserve its archaeological character.

The terracotta fabric is a distinctive pale orange-buff colour, visible beneath the accumulated deposits.

Features

  • Softly modelled facial features
  • Broad forehead
  • Projecting nose
  • Small mouth and rounded chin
  • Veil or headdress falling along both sides of the face
  • Pale orange-buff terracotta fabric
  • Archaeological mineral encrustation
  • Mounted on a modern display stand

Cultural Significance

Terracotta figurines were produced widely throughout the ancient Greek world and served a variety of religious, funerary, and domestic purposes.

The simplified facial modelling and covered head of this fragment are consistent with Archaic Greek coroplastic traditions of the late 6th century BCE. Because the remainder of the original figurine and any identifying attributes are no longer present, the specific identity or function of the figure cannot be determined with certainty.

Condition

Ancient fragmentary condition. The head is broken irregularly at the neck, with a visible fissure extending across one side. Surface abrasion, mineral encrustation, pitting, minor losses, and softening of the original modelling are present throughout.

Despite the weathering, the principal facial features and veil or headdress remain clearly recognizable.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Ancient Terracotta Head Height: 2 in

Age (Approximate)

2,500–2,600 years old

Provenance

Formerly in a private California, USA collection, reportedly acquired in Germany approximately 25 years ago, circa 2000–2001. The object was subsequently handled by Palmyra Heritage Gallery, New York, USA, in 2026. Palmyra Heritage Gallery is a New York-based antiquities dealer specializing in ancient art. The gallery has been active in the New York antiquities trade for decades.

The piece was later examined by Luca Salvaggio, an Italian archaeologist and specialist in ancient Mediterranean material. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the Italian Archaeological School at Athens (IASA) and is accredited for preventive archaeology by the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC). Salvaggio identified the fragment as a Greek Archaic terracotta figurine head dating to the late 6th century BCE, based on its softly modelled facial features, broad forehead, projecting nose, small mouth, rounded chin, veiled or headdress-covered head, and pale orange-buff fabric. 

Learn More

Compare this fragment with a small 4th-century BCE Greek terracotta head of a woman preserved by the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Browse our Collection of Ancient Roman and Greek Artifacts.

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