Roman Marble Bust of a Female / Muse

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A lovely marble sculpture of a female - perhaps a Muse - bust-length and uncarved on the verso, hence likely created for a niche, depicting a youthful female with nicely defined facial features including deep-set almond-shaped eyes, an aquiline noble nose, closed lips, and gentle contours - all crowned by a wavy coiffure adorned by a diadem. A beautiful bust from ancient Rome. Size: 4.625" L x 4.75" W x 7.25" H (11.7 cm x 12.1 cm x 18.4 cm); 9.875" H (25.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Sources of inspiration to poets, Muses were goddesses of music, song, and dance. In classical sculpture and vase painting, the Muses (Musai) were depicted as graceful young woman with various attributes such as musical instruments. Muses were also revered as goddesses of knowledge who possessed remarkable memory. In time, the muses were given specific names and assigned particular artistic realms: Kalliope (Calliope) for epic poetry; Kleio (Clio) for history; Ourania (Urania) for astronomy; Thaleia (Thalia) for comedy; Melpomene for tragedy; Polymnia (Polyhymnia) for religious hymns; Erato for erotic poetry; Euterpe for lyric poetry; and Terpsikhore (Terpsichore) for choral song and dance.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex Secret Eye Gallery, New York City, acquired in the 1970s

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#159276
Condition Report: Verso is uncarved, likely intended to set in a niche. Red iron-rich deposits and scattered black deposits on the surface as shown. Chips and abrasions to coiffure, chin, tip of nose, and other high-pointed areas and peripheries. Some details have softened over the ages, but features are relatively strong.