Greek Hellenistic Terracotta Figurine of a Standing Woman

Hellenistic Period, c. 200 BC, possibly Boeotia, Greece

A magnificent and finely moulded terracotta figurine of an elegantly dressed woman, exemplifying the refinement of Hellenistic artistry. She is shown standing in contrapposto, her weight shifted gracefully onto her left leg, the pose lending a naturalistic sense of balance and poise. Draped in a long himation that cascades over her legs and feet, the folds of the garment gather in her lap where her right arm rests, while her left arm is drawn modestly beneath the mantle. The fabric slips languidly from her left shoulder, revealing a sensuous play of form beneath the drapery.

Her face is rendered with delicate precision, the features calm yet intent, framed by hair drawn back into a bun beneath a headwrap. The composition captures both fashionable elegance and quiet dignity, hallmarks of terracotta figures from the Hellenistic world.

Such figurines became especially popular in the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, often depicting stylish women, deities, athletes, or revelers. Though seemingly secular, they carried deeper meaning, frequently placed in domestic shrines, dedicated in sanctuaries, or interred in graves as offerings. Excavations at Tanagra, for example, have revealed tombs containing multiple figures, suggesting both personal devotion and symbolic significance. These works, while celebrating contemporary fashion and beauty, also served as subtle reminders of religious ceremony and the continuity between life and death.

Elegant, expressive, and richly evocative, this statuette embodies the grace and sophistication of Hellenistic terracotta art, offering a window into both private devotion and public ritual in the ancient Greek world.

Good condition, with small material losses to the lower section. Surface wear and abrasions consistent with age, including softening of finer details. Light encrustations remain within recessed areas. Traces of original white and yellow pigment hint at the vivid coloration the sculpture once displayed in antiquity. Attractive earthen deposits enhance the piece’s authenticity and character.. Size approx. 16,3cm x 6,0cm x 5,2cm. 

Provenance: British private collection.

For a similar examples see:

Standing Draped Woman, Harvard Art Museums, Accession Number:1926.21.12 (https://harvardartmuseums.org/collections/object/291905)

Standing Draped Woman with Clasped Hands, The Walters Art Museum, Accession Number: 48.285 (https://art.thewalters.org/object/48.285/)

Terracotta statuette of a woman standing, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession Number: 74.57.20 (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/244801)