Ancient Greece, Hellenistic Period, ca. 3rd to 1st century CE. A skillfully-carved marble head of a bearded male, perhaps a deity such as Zeus, but possibly a more pedestrian portrayal as the new international culture of the Hellenistic era lead to a wide range of subject matter. The head is depicted with recessed almond-shaped eyes beneath a smooth brow line, a slender nose, finely-contoured cheeks, and bushy facial hair surrounding a full mouth. His coiffure is neatly arranged in plaited strands held together with a thin diadem and terminating on the verso in an upward-folded bun. A drilled hole atop the forehead suggests this head once bore elaborate decorations at one time. Breathtaking for its veristic visage with a stern yet gentle countenance, as was characteristic of the Hellenistic period, this is a fabulous example! Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 2.375" W x 3.875" H (6 cm x 9.8 cm); 5" H (12.7 cm) on included custom stand.

The arts prospered during the Hellenistic period when kings took pride in being patrons of the arts and commissioned public art as well as private luxury pieces to demonstrate their elite taste and wealth. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Hellenistic milieu was that artists were commissioned to portray rather unorthodox subjects, including working-class maidens, the elderly, children, and ethnic phenotypes; this example most likely depicts a deity or a somewhat elderly man, perhaps from the working class.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#138559

Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, small losses to neck line, nose, and coiffure, with fading to some carved details, and light roughness across most surfaces. Nice earthen deposits throughout.