Roman, Imperial period, ca. 3rd to 4th century CE. A remarkably lifelike marble carving of a woman's head, frozen forever in an expression that suggests a quiet thoughtfulness and silent observation. Her large eyes stare forward from underneath deep brows, with a long, straight nose and a thin-lipped mouth that is quirked into a slight smile. Deep lines down from her nose to her mouth suggest that she is an older woman, although the rest of her face is smooth. Her hair has been carefully styled in a center-parted series of waves that are pulled back behind her head. Size: 5.55" W x 8.55" H (14.1 cm x 21.7 cm); 13.15" H (33.4 cm) on included custom stand.

The hair style is the clue to the age of this piece. From the 3rd century CE onward, Roman sculptors commonly began to use running drills for decorative effects. Holding a wooden support in one hand to guide the drill bit, the sculptor would drill into the surface at a 30-45 degree angle, repeatedly lifting and moving the drill to create a series of holes at a shallow angle to the surface of the stone, creating the appearance of a channel, as you can see here with the wavy effect used to create the hair. The eyes also have noticeable drill marks. This is not only a beautiful piece, but also demonstrates the skill and tools of Roman artists.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#133213

Lower part of back of head is lost and bottom of neck is uneven. Tip of nose has been expertly repaired and the repair is almost impossible to see. Light surface pitting and wear commensurate with age, with some small deposits in the lower profile areas. Excellent preservation of facial details.