ROMAN MARBLE GODDESS HEAD OF VENUS

Ca. AD 100 - 300.
A Roman marble head of Venus, inspired by Greek art. Her head is turned to her right, with a pronounced chin and full, slightly-parted lips. Her small almond-shaped eyes have thick upper and lower lids drilled at their inner canthi. The delicately-modelled brows arch gracefully and merge with the bridge of her nose. Her forehead is peaked at the centre and her luscious wavy hair is centre parted. The individual strands are delineated with thick wavy tendrils along her crown. Her hair is loosely bound in a band and tied in a chignon at the nape of her neck. For similar see: Defining beauty, the body in ancient Greek art, British Museum, p. 132.
Size: 135mm x 10mm; Weight: 515g
Provenance: Private London collection, acquired pre-2000. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.