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Bust (protome) of Demeter or Persephone

Greek
Classical period
about 450-400 B.C.

Medium/Technique Terracotta and paint
Dimensions 43.8 cm (17 1/4 in.)
Credit Line Catharine Page Perkins Fund
Accession Number97.353
ClassificationsSculpture

DescriptionProtome of Demeter or Persephone with high headdress (polos) and round earrings, holding over breasts a seed between thumb and forefinger of right hand, and a flower bud in the left. White slip over the front. Remains of black pigment on polos, hair, eyebrows, eyelashes and irises; pink on lips, nostrils and cheeks. Border of white leaves around the collar. Two holes for suspension on the underside of polos.

Pieced from several fragments.
ProvenanceBy 1897, Edward Perry Warren (b. 1860- d. 1928), London [see note 1]; 1897, sold by E. P. Warren to the MFA for $25,000.00 [note 2]. (Accession date: October 5, 1897)

Notes:
[1] According to E. P. Warren’s records, it was bought in Athens, Greece.
[2] This figure is the total price for MFA 97.285-97.442 and 97.1104.