Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st century CE. Possessing quixotic beauty, a janus-headed female presenting two beautiful visages comprised of almond-shaped eyes with delineated lids, a gently arched browline that meets her aquiline nose above gently smiling lips, softly contoured facial planes, and a slender neck - finely carved from a stone of peachy beige/creamy white hues. Both faces are framed by a wavy coiffure with banana curls falling beside her cheeks and crowned by a diadem; the sides display their wavy locks intertwining in voluminous plaits; above is a drilled hole that perhaps once received a decorative ornament, perhaps a capital if this piece came from a caryatid, or perhaps a third head (if depicting Hecate, see more on this below). Size: 8.375" W x 11.5" H (21.3 cm x 29.2 cm); 17.375" H (44.1 cm) on included custom stand.
Just who may this face have depicted? Janus himself - the god of beginnings, endings, transitions, doorways, time, duality, gates, and passages - was male. Since he was said to look toward both the future and the past, January was named for him and Juno was actually the tutelary goddess of that month, according to the ancient Roman farmer's almanac. So perhaps this piece represents Juno (Greek Hera), queen of the gods and wife of Jupiter Greek Zeus). It is also possible that she represents two of the three faces of Hekate/Hecate, the goddess of the moon with three forms: Selene the Moon in heaven, Artemis the Huntress on earth, and Persephone the Destroyer in the underworld - who reigned over three kingdoms (earth, sea, and sky) and possessed the power to both create and prevent storms, a trait that led to her patronage by shepherds. Beyond this, Hecate in her triplicate manifestation, is also associated with crossroads, entryways, magic, witchcraft, knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, and sorcery. Her identity withstanding, it is easy to admire this stunning sculptural work for its presentation of a young and classically beautiful face with a serene expression - clearly intended to be admired on all sides.
Provenance: ex-William Froelich collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 1970s
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#149875
Condition
A section from a larger sculpture. Drilled hole atop for former attachment, perhaps an ornament or capital. Expected surface wear/weathering and abrasions/losses to noses and other high pointed areas. Nevertheless, this piece is still captivating with skillfully executed modeling and radiant details.