Details

LOT 0688

Roman Female Bone Doll

3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.

7 in. (214 grams total, 18 cm including stand).

A Roman or Parthian bone figurine of a female with holes to accept pegs for separate articulated arms, hatching to the piled hairstyle, incised facial features, tiered collar, slender body with drape detailing to the bodice, belt and skirt; pierced ears to accept earrings; mounted on a custom-made stand.

Provenance

Family collection since the 1960s.
with Christie's, London, 29 April 2010, lot 373.
Property of a Brussels gentleman.

Accompanied by copies of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages.

Literature

See similar doll in Reading Museum, Museum object number REDMG : 1997.15.1.

Footnotes

The doll was made of a carved bone figure of woman with separate arms attached to the body, and pieces for the ears. All the surface shows extensive marks of working by a saw, knife or a file. The body is made from bone, and the style of the doll is typical of Roman Britain. The separate parts were attached with pins or string. On the doll are still visible the little holes for the connecting string.