Greek Hellenistic Marble Head - Bearded Man
Ancient Greece, Hellenistic Period, ca. 3rd to 1st century CE. A skillfully-carved marble head of a bearded male, perhaps a deity such as Zeus, but possibly a more pedestrian portrayal as the new international culture of the Hellenistic era lead to a wide range of subject matter. The head is depicted with recessed almond-shaped eyes beneath a smooth brow line, a slender nose, finely-contoured cheeks, and bushy facial hair surrounding a full mouth. His coiffure is neatly arranged in plaited strands held together with a thin diadem and terminating on the verso in an upward-folded bun. A drilled hole atop the forehead suggests this head once bore elaborate decorations as well. Breathtaking for its veristic visage with a stern yet gentle countenance, as was characteristic of the Hellenistic period, this is a fabulous example! Size: 2.375" W x 3.875" H (6 cm x 9.8 cm)
The arts prospered during the Hellenistic period when kings took pride in being patrons of the arts and commissioned public art as well as private luxury pieces to demonstrate their elite taste and wealth. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Hellenistic milieu was that artists were commissioned to portray rather unorthodox subjects, including working-class maidens, the elderly, children, and ethnic phenotypes; this example most likely depicts a deity or a somewhat elderly man, perhaps from the working class.
Provenance: ex-William Froelich, New York City, USA and Saba (Caribbean), acquired 1960s to 1990s
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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#152781
Condition Report: Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age. Small losses to neck line, nose, and coiffure, with softening to some carved details. Nice earthen deposits throughout.
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Ancient Greece, Hellenistic Period, ca. 3rd to 1st century CE. A skillfully-carved marble head of a bearded male, perhaps a deity such as Zeus, but possibly a more pedestrian portrayal as the new international culture of the Hellenistic era lead to a wide range of subject matter. The head is depicted with recessed almond-shaped eyes beneath a smooth brow line, a slender nose, finely-contoured cheeks, and bushy facial hair surrounding a full mouth. His coiffure is neatly arranged in plaited strands held together with a thin diadem and terminating on the verso in an upward-folded bun. A drilled hole atop the forehead suggests this head once bore elaborate decorations as well. Breathtaking for its veristic visage with a stern yet gentle countenance, as was characteristic of the Hellenistic period, this is a fabulous example! Size: 2.375" W x 3.875" H (6 cm x 9.8 cm)
The arts prospered during the Hellenistic period when kings took pride in being patrons of the arts and commissioned public art as well as private luxury pieces to demonstrate their elite taste and wealth. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Hellenistic milieu was that artists were commissioned to portray rather unorthodox subjects, including working-class maidens, the elderly, children, and ethnic phenotypes; this example most likely depicts a deity or a somewhat elderly man, perhaps from the working class.
Provenance: ex-William Froelich, New York City, USA and Saba (Caribbean), acquired 1960s to 1990s
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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#152781
Condition Report: Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age. Small losses to neck line, nose, and coiffure, with softening to some carved details. Nice earthen deposits throughout.
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
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