Ancient Near East, late Parthian to early Sasanian culture, ca. 1st century BCE to 4th century BCE. A stunning, larger than life stucco head of a female, likely a deity or court concubine, depicted with idealized characteristics: huge, almond-shaped eyes beneath sweeping, arched brows, a broad, down-turned nose, high cheekbones, and a slender, closed-lipped smile. Her heat-shaped visage is framed by a centrally parted coiffure with an undulating hairline and braids that fall to her shoulders. Applied rosettes of lotus flowers further adorn her hair - suggesting she may be Anahita, the Iranian goddess of fertility, healing, and wisdom whose symbol is the lotus flower - while hoop earrings with spherical dangles embellish her ears; all conveying an air of stately opulence. Note the careful detail in the incisions in her hair, smoothness of her skin, and vibrant red and black pigments of her eyes. This rare example likely served as part of high relief decoration in a palace or temple. Size: 12.7" W x 13.6" H (32.3 cm x 34.5 cm); 18" H (45.7 cm) on included custom stand.

According to the consignor, this example was studied at studied at length by famed Middle Eastern scholar Dr. Edith Porada, Professor of Art History and Archaeology at Columbia University. Dr. Porada concluded that this extremely rare portrait is of a deity or a concubine of the court.

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Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection, acquired in 1991; ex- old New York, New York, USA collection

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#177249

Fragment of a larger piece. Some chipping and losses to rosettes and collar/necklace, as well as periphery. Expected nicks and abrasions, commensurate with age, but otherwise in excellent condition with liberal remains of pigment in areas.