Statuette, Greco-roman Period, Mediterranean Basin, 300 To 100 Bc.

Statuette depicting a crouching woman with a rounded belly and clearly defined genitalia. Her breasts are full, one hand rests on her forehead in an introspective gesture, while the other holds a mirror. She wears a wide turban. A small perforation on the back forms a suspension loop. Orange terracotta, traces of brown pigment, a chip on one foot, signs of age. Greco-Roman period, Mediterranean basin, 300 to 100 BC. Dimensions: 5.5 × 5.3 cm. Provenance: Former Tessier & Sarrou sale, Drouot, Paris. Sold with a certificate of authenticity from expert Serge Reynes and an invoice from Galerie Ocarina. "The crouching posture, the emphasis on bodily attributes, and the presence of the mirror allude to representations of intimate femininity in the Greco-Roman world, blending grooming, sensuality, and the potential for fertility. The loop on the reverse suggests an object intended to be suspended, perhaps used as a protective amulet or as a domestic or religious votive offering. This type of terracotta figurine, employing both symbolic and apotropaic codes, testifies to the importance given to the female body in religious practices and protective beliefs of the ancient Mediterranean world."* Shipping costs upon request.