G61

Greek pottery female head protome

A moulded pottery plaque depicting a female head wearing large disc shaped earrings. This type of plaque was affixed by the suspension hole to altars and temples, usually places connected with the goddess Demeter, and hence they are thought to represent images of the goddess.

Demeter is among the oldest of the Greek pantheon of gods and was worshipped as the mother-goddess associated with many different aspects of fertility.

Greek, circa 5th Century BC

Intact as shown: one lower corner chipped, general light surface wear.

Size: 14.3 x 9.6 cms

Ex. private collection, Copenhagen, Denmark.