A Tarentine terracotta antefix with head of Io

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A Tarentine terracotta antefix with head of Io
moulded in relief, wearing a necklace and pendant earrings, her hair dressed in neat rows above with wavy locks escaping at either side, she has cow's ears and wears a sphendone through which projects two cow's horns, the eyes heavy-lidded with incised pupils -- 7 1/8in. (18.2cm.) high, early 4th Century B.C.
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Lot Essay

Zeus fell in love with the mortal Io and in order to lie with her took the form of a cloud. In spite of this stratagem, Hera's suspicions were aroused and, in order to put his wife off the scent, Zeus changed his lover into a white heifer, which Hera then asked for as a gift.

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