Greece, late Hellenistic Period, ca. 2nd to 1st century BCE. A finely rendered, hand-carved marble head of a female deity, perhaps depicting Aphrodite (Roman Venus), the goddess of love, passion, and ecstasy. Her elegant coiffure is formed of long, wavy wisps bound with a cord in front and pulled into a chignon on top of her head. Her feminine visage is of an ovoid form with downcast, almond-shaped eyes beneath sweeping, pensive brows, a triangular nose, full lips, a rounded chin, and cupped ears behind smooth cheeks. The creamy white hue of the marble is interspersed with dark gray inclusions as well as burnt sienna earthen deposits that create a chromatically captivating composition. Size: 3.4" W x 4.875" H (8.6 cm x 12.4 cm); 7.625" H (19.4 cm) on included custom stand.
Published: J. Eisenberg, Art of the Ancient World, Vol. XXV (2014), no. 5
This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
Provenance: Acquired on the London art market in November 2012; ex-Eduardo Alonso collection, Switzerland, 1960s
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#165072
Condition
This is a fragment of a larger marble figure. Losses to body below neckline as shown. Chips to nose, neckline, and coiffure, with light encrustations within some recessed areas, and softening to some facial features. Beautiful preservation to feminine visage and intricate coiffure detailing.