Kore Statue

An early, Archaic marble Kore statue with the eyes of a sphinx

The temples at Paestum survived the decline in the late Roman Empire and in the 18th century they began to be visited. Naples at this time was at the height of its power and glory, and became a major point on the grand tour. In 1738 the ruins of Herculaneum were discovered and ten years later, Pompeii was also discovered: both became a sensation and an essential part of the grand tour.However, people began to realise that there were also no less than three Greek temples at Paestum.Other areas where these statues have been found include Paros and Athens, amongst other Greek regions.

Many Artefacts have been sourced from Paestum and most remain in the Paestum Archaeological Museum. The korai are clothed in rich robes and with their hairelaborately dressed. They stand straight and with the facial expression typical of Archaic art (the Archaic smile). Thisstatue has the eyes of a sphinx, the same style as the one in our possession and the hair is of similar characteristics.





Details of the Kore’s features

This is one of the carvings (metopes) in the later style. Thisshows some dancing girls who presumably ornamented thetemple as actually built, as found in the Paestum Museum. The carvings show similar features to the Kore – the detail on the robes and the rigid pose.

The Kore’s curled hair frames the serenecountenance known as an archaic smile, and her clothes, a modest combination of chiton and peplos. Her missing forearm probably held an offering likes a pomegranate.Width – 42cm, Depth – 38cm and Height – 130cm.

Our Kore has similar earrings, whichwould have been traced in gold leaf, tothis Kore statue from Paros. ca. 500 BC.

This Archaic Kore Sculpture is of the Dorian Peplos c. 530 B.C. Marble Block-like carving with an accented waist. Heavy cloth forms separate layer over body - covering but not concealing solid rounded shapes beneath. Left hand originally extended offering a votive gift of some sort - spatial quality. Organictreatment of hair - soft curly strands over shoulders. Round face - softer more natural smile. This Kore is currently in the Acropolis Museum in Athens and is of similarity to the one in our possession.

Our Kore itself could be from 500 BC, Middle of Archaic Period, and various features point its origin towards Paestum.

We are choosing not to over expose this statue to the market as we appreciate a private collector would value its exclusivity.