Greece, Hellenistic Period, ca. 3rd to 1st century BCE. A large and impressive fragment of a mold-formed head depicting the back of the neck and most of the hair. The hair is unkempt yet attractive with curling locks intertwined with one another and drooping down the exposed nape of the neck. The crown of the head centered on the verso is the locus from which the hair seems to radiate, and each of the locks has a combed, pattern-molded presentation. The curved grooves on the lower lateral sides indicate approximately where the ears would have been, and the rightmost corner projects towards the front and shows roughly where the hair ceased and the face began. Based on the size and density of the hair, this may have been from a statue of a male athlete or a man of high-society. Covered in layers of matte green and brown patina, this is a wonderful example of a Classical coiffure! Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 9.5" W x 11.125" H (24.1 cm x 28.3 cm); 12.9" H (32.8 cm) on included custom stand.
For a full bronze head exhibiting stylistically-similar hair, please see The British Museum, museum number 1861,1127.13: https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details/collection_image_gallery.aspx?partid=1&assetid=256612001&objectid=459398
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-private California, USA collection, acquired in the 1980s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#143511
Condition
This is a fragment of a larger bronze head. Repaired from multiple large pieces with several areas of restoration, stabilization material along the interior surfaces, and light adhesive residue along most break lines. Small losses to areas of hair and neck line, with softening to some patterned details, and light encrustations. Nice earthen deposits as well as fabulous green and brown patina throughout.