Busacca Gallery

A GREEK TERRA COTTA APHRODITE'S DOVE, c. 4th-3rd century BC. The dove wearing a garland or necklace with pendants. 3.7". Remains of white and red slip. Tiny chip and repair to beak. Nice example and rare! "Terracotta" is often used of objects not made on a potter's wheel, such as figurines. Terracotta was the only clay produced by Western and pre-Columbian people until the 14th century, when European higher fired stoneware began production. Terracotta has been used throughout history for sculpture and pottery, as well as bricks and roof shingles. In ancient times, the first clay sculptures were dried (baked) in the sun after being formed. Later, they were placed in the ashes of open hearths to harden, and finally kilns were used, similar to those used for pottery today. However only after firing to high temperature would it be classed as a ceramic material. Ancient Greek was the language of Homer and of classical Athenian historians, playwrights, and philosophers. It has contributed many words to English vocabulary and has been a standard subject of study in educational institutions of the West, since the Renaissance. Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th – 6th centuries BC, (known as Archaic), c. 5th – 4th centuries BC (Classical), and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD (Hellenistic) of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek. This is a featured art consignment piece. All collectibles are curated distinguishable art objects from top end collections. We’ve built an exceptionally sophisticated safe infrastructure with a proven consignment management system featuring high quality visual art and antiques, for both buyers and sellers. All published works of art must be unique & rare  in order to receive an invitation to join our exclusive gallery forum. You can reach us if you have any questions. 415-776-0104

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terra_Cotta

Terracotta, Terra cotta or Terra-cotta (Italian: "baked earth", from the Latin terra cotta), a type of earthenware, is a clay-based unglazed or glazed ceramic, where the fired body is porous. Its uses include vessels (notably flower pots), water and waste water pipes, bricks, and surface embellishment in building construction, along with sculpture such as the Terracotta Army and Greek terracotta figurines. The term is also used to refer to items made out of this material and to its natural, brownish orange color, which varies considerably. In archaeology and art history, "terracotta" is often used of objects not made on a potter's wheel, such as figurines, where objects made on the wheel from the same material, possibly even by the same person, are called pottery; the choice of term depending on the type of object rather than the material