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Daunian doll

Terracotta
Daunia, South Italy, 4th century BC
H. 12 cm

Charming Daunian III polychrome doll, a so called “bell-idol”. Orange-beige tone, brown paint. Figure freely formed in a coil and pinch technique. It shows a male idol with a bell-shaped lower body. The upper body and neck are shaped like a column, with the neck merging directly into the face. The facial features of the figure are barely recognizable. The head of the idol is adorned with a conical headdress. An erect male member is attached to the stomach.

These dolls were likely used as toys or talismans, and some have been found in tombs, suggesting that they may have held symbolic or spiritual significance as well. Daunian clay dolls are rare.

Condition: Missing points on the back. Surface flaked and sintered.

Provenance: ex. collection Mrs. R. K., Basel, Switzerland

Item reference: CL0314