Greek statuette of a boar

Greek statuette of a boar
ITEM: Statuette of a boar
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Greek
PERIOD: Hellenistic period, 3rd - 2nd Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 70 mm x 56 mm x 102 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex English private collection, O.S., Suffolk, acquired in the 1960s

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Statuettes of boars from the Greek and Hellenistic periods reflect the cultural and symbolic significance of the animal in ancient societies. In Greek mythology, the boar was often associated with wildness, strength, and danger, featuring prominently in several myths such as the Calydonian Boar hunt and the myth of the Erymanthian Boar, which was one of the Twelve Labors of Heracles. These stories underscored the boar's reputation as a formidable and challenging beast, embodying the untamed forces of nature that heroes needed to conquer.

During the Hellenistic period (c. 323-31 BCE), the production of small-scale art, including animal statuettes, flourished as part of the broader trend toward personal and domestic art. The Hellenistic era is characterized by its increased attention to realism, detail, and the depiction of a wide range of subjects, including everyday life and the natural world. Boar statuettes from this period would often be made from bronze, terracotta, or other materials, showcasing the Hellenistic artists' skill in capturing the physical characteristics and dynamic poses of animals. These statuettes might have served decorative purposes, been used in domestic religious practices, or symbolized the owner's values or interests, such as hunting prowess.

The stylistic approach to boar statuettes in the Hellenistic period reflects the era's artistic innovations and cultural exchanges. Hellenistic artists were known for their ability to convey movement and lifelike qualities in their works, and boar statuettes would often depict the animal in mid-action, emphasizing its muscular build and fierce nature. This period also saw the spread of Greek culture across the Mediterranean and into Asia due to the conquests of Alexander the Great, leading to a fusion of artistic traditions.

Measurement:	5.6 x 7 cm
Depth:	10.2 cm