A ROMAN TERRACOTTA "CAMPANA" RELIEF

CIRCA EARLY 1ST CENTURY A.D.

Details
A ROMAN TERRACOTTA "CAMPANA" RELIEF
circa early 1st century a.d.
The plaque molded with a partially draped male hero, perhaps Herakles, clasping the hand of a veiled woman, possibly Alcestis, her head angled down, a second draped woman, possibly Persephone, to the left, her right hand on the veiled woman's shoulder, but looking back to her right, a crescentic diadem in her hair, a band of palmettes below, a band of medusa heads alternating with palmettes above
23.7/8 in. (60.6 cm) high

Lot Essay

In mythology, Alcestis was the daughter of Pelias and the wife of Admetus. Following a bad omen after their wedding, Admetus was destined for death unless someone else would offer their own life in exchange for his. His bride chose to sacrifice her life in favor of his. Now in Hades, there are several versions of Alcestis' return to her husband. In some versions, Persepone returns Alcestis herself. In another version, Herakles intervenes and fights successfully with Hades, forcing the release of Alcestis.

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