Antique Terracotta Sculpture of Greek Muse
Our beautiful sculpture in terracotta, set upon round plinth of variegated red marble, depicts a seated Greek muse, Erato Terpsichore, or possibly Calliope. It dates from the nineteenth century and is apparently unsigned. Meaures: 23 x 13 x 11 in; 58 x 33 x 28 cm. In very good condition for its age, with rubbing wear, scratches and surface dirt. There is a restoration to the right hand, and restoration to a break in the marble pedestal. May have other restorations as yet unidentified.
Erato was the muse of lyrica poetry and is normally depicted holding a lyre as with our sculpture. Terpsichore was the muse of choral lyric and dancing, normally depicted in dance and sometimes with a lyre in hand. Calliope (Kalliope) was the oldest of the muses, the goddess of epic poetry, music song and dance, normally depicted with tablet and stylus in hand, but originally depicted often with a lyre.
