A Symposiast Lot n° 46

Western Greek ca. 340 B.C.. Terracotta. H. 20 cm. W. 12 cm Upper body of a symposiast. The beardless youth reclines to right. His head is adorned by a broad fillet as well as an opulent wreath with rosettes. Below the lateral rosettes, broad taeniae fall onto the youth’s nude upper body. The hair at the forehead is combed upwards. The oval, carefully detailed face is characterised by deep-set eyes framed by distinctive lids, prominent eyebrows and a narrow mouth with full lips. It tapers slightly towards the rounded chin. The meaning of these so-called Tarentine symposiasts, terracotta statuettes that were found in large numbers and which are distinguished by their characteristic, ornate headdresses, cannot be pinned down precisely. They are interpreted as representations of gods, heroicised dead persons, or members of the urban elite. The type was popular in Taranto. The reclining youth probably held a kantharos in his left hand and wore a cloak that was wrapped tightly around his left arm. Firing hole on the reverse. Condition: Wreath worn; one rosette lost. Traces of white engobe. Formerly priv. coll. of the publisher Max Hagemann, Basel, prior to 1964. Since then in the family.