Roman Marble Head of a Goddess

1ST CENTURY BC-1ST CENTURY AD

16 1/4" (30.1 kg, 41cm).

A carved marble bust of a youthful female, possibly a goddess, with hair parted in the centre and tied at the rear of the head in a chignon, the eyes with soft fleshy lids, the nose and mouth small, the lips pert and the chin rounded; mounted on a custom-made stand.

Provenance

Property of a European gentleman; formerly in a German private collection formed in the 1950-1970s.

Literature

See Wheeler, M. Roman Art and Architecture, London, 1964 for discussion.

Footnotes

The hairstyle with centre parting a chignon is typical of the Julio-Claudian era when the fashion turned towards simplicity (and thus honesty and virtue), as a counterpoint to the excessive flamboyance of Cleopatra and the Ptolemaic Egyptian court.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process

AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0116

Roman Marble Head of a Goddess

Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,875

Print page

RELATED LOTS

ROMAN BONE DICE PAIR
1st-3rd century AD
Lot No. 1385
Sold for (Inc. premium): £88

ROMAN SILVER RING WITH YOUTHFUL IMPERIAL PORTRAIT
4th century AD
Lot No. 0922
Sold for (Inc. premium): £169

ROMAN OWL STATUETTE
1st-2nd century AD
Lot No. 1316
Sold for (Inc. premium): £200