Cf. S. Besques, Catalogue raisonné des figurines et reliefs en terre cuite grecs, étrusques et romains, vol. IV (Paris 1986) D411-D4113.

R. Hurschmann, ‘Canosiner Vasen’, in: Der Neue Pauly 2 (1997), Col. 965f.

2013.02
Greek Terracotta Statuette of Nike
Height 190mm. Width 120mm.
Canosa, South Italy.
4th – 3rd century BC.
Presented to the ANU Classics Museum by Jane Hyden, in memory of her father Paul Free AM.

Fractures repaired. Some damage incurred in transit (the hands were broken off at the wrist).
Nike leans against a pillar. Her lower body is draped and she wears a radiate stephane in her hair. Traces of gesso glaze remain. The writing tablet is an unusual feature: perhaps for the recording of competitors in the games. The statuette may have formed a decorative element on a vase.

Images of Nike were used to commemorate victories, both in war and in athletic competition.

Canosa was a centre for pottery manufacture in the mid to late 4th century, producing a large volume of goods distinguishable by their use of water-soluble gesso glaze. These were frequently decorated with images of Nike, gorgons, and winged female figures.  The so-called Canosa vases, produced also in Arpi and Ordona, were designed exclusively for funerary use.

Cf. S. Besques, Catalogue raisonné des figurines et reliefs en terre cuite grecs, étrusques et romains, vol. IV (Paris 1986) D411-D4113.
R. Hurschmann, ‘Canosiner Vasen’, in: Der Neue Pauly 2 (1997), Col. 965f.