A Graeco-Egyptian terracotta figure of a victorious athlete
Alexandria, Late Hellenistic Period, circa 1st Century B.C.
The nude male figure standing on a rectangular integral base in contrapposto with the weight on the left leg, his right arm raised in the act of removing his large leafy crown, carrying a libation situla in his left hand, a large palm leaf with wreath, denoting victory, at his left side, with red slip preserved overall, 21.5cm high注脚Provenance:
Mr A. collection, Paris, acquired prior to 1996.

Published:
F. Antonovich, Les Métamorphoses Divines d'Alexandre, Paris, 1996, p. 31.

The athlete depicted here is shown in the act of removing his crown in order to place it on an altar as an offering to the gods, in recognition for their assistance in bringing him to victory. The libation situla is also to be used in this ritual of thanks. Cf. another late Hellenistic terracotta figure of a youthful victorious athlete at the British Museum, shown in similar pose, removing his crown and holding a palm leaf (acc. no. 1907,0519.6).