Greek Terracotta Figurine of A Seated Woman 

East Greek, c. 500–450 BC, possibly Rhodes

A rare and evocative hollow-moulded terracotta figurine depicting a seated woman—possibly a mother or goddess—regally enthroned with a child resting at her side. She is shown wearing a finely rendered chiton and himation, crowned with a garland, her pose conveying both dignity and intimacy. The child is positioned to her left, suggesting themes of fertility, protection, or maternal devotion.

The figure sits on a high-backed throne, a motif deeply tied to divine authority in Greek art. While traces of pigment have long faded, such figurines were originally enhanced with painted details, lending further vibrancy and lifelike quality. The reverse remains plain and unmodelled, typical of votive terracottas intended for placement within sanctuaries or shrines.

This figure belongs to a well-established type in East Greek terracotta production, closely related to larger-scale stone sculptures and part of a broader repertoire that included deities, worshippers, athletes, and participants in Dionysian revelry. By the 5th century BC, these mould-made figures had become popular devotional offerings, their relatively small size making them accessible to a wide range of worshippers.

Such figures were often presented as votive gifts to the gods, though it remains uncertain whether they represent divine beings, priestesses, or worshippers themselves. The enthroned female type, especially when accompanied by a child, strongly suggests associations with fertility and divine motherhood—possibly linked to cults of deities such as Demeter, Hera, or local mother-goddesses.

Comparable examples were found in sanctuaries across the Greek world, and notably, hundreds of terracotta votives were deposited on the Athenian Akropolis after its destruction by the Persians in 480 BC, hinting at their role in early cult practice and their symbolic significance as guardians of continuity and renewal.

This finely moulded example captures both the artistry and spiritual resonance of Greek terracotta production, offering a moving connection to the devotional life of the ancient Mediterranean.

Good condition. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, nicks and chip, with fading to some finer features, and light encrustations within recessed areas. Nice earthen deposits throughout. Size approx. 12,5cm x 5,8cm x 6,1cm. 

Provenance: British private collection.

For a similar examples see:

Figure, The British Museum, Accession Number: 1864,1007.1290 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/G_1864-1007-1290)

Terracotta statuette of a seated woman, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession Number: 89.2.2131 (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/245531)