Hellenistic Marble Head of a Goddess
3rd-2nd century BC. A marble head of divinity, probably depicting Ceres (Greek Demeter), the physiognomic features of the face still well delineated, with evidence of eyes, eyebrows, nose; the thick hair gathered under the cloak covering the head (capite velato), the head surmounted by a partially preserved diadem; two parallel grooves on the sides of her face, probably intended to house metallic earrings; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 390 grams total, 81mm high (11cm including stand) (3 1/4 (4 1/4)"). From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister; from her collection formed 1960s-1990s. This marble bust, belonging to a small statue (maybe a domestic lar) apparently belongs to the typologies of the Roman copies of the ‘well garlanded’ Demeter, a Greek original prototype from the 4th century BC, a famous example of which is preserved in the Museo Nazionale Romano, Palazzo Altemps, Rome, Italy.
Condition Report: Fair condition.
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3rd-2nd century BC. A marble head of divinity, probably depicting Ceres (Greek Demeter), the physiognomic features of the face still well delineated, with evidence of eyes, eyebrows, nose; the thick hair gathered under the cloak covering the head (capite velato), the head surmounted by a partially preserved diadem; two parallel grooves on the sides of her face, probably intended to house metallic earrings; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 390 grams total, 81mm high (11cm including stand) (3 1/4 (4 1/4)"). From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister; from her collection formed 1960s-1990s. This marble bust, belonging to a small statue (maybe a domestic lar) apparently belongs to the typologies of the Roman copies of the ‘well garlanded’ Demeter, a Greek original prototype from the 4th century BC, a famous example of which is preserved in the Museo Nazionale Romano, Palazzo Altemps, Rome, Italy.
Condition Report: Fair condition.