Ca. 2nd Century AD
A charming Roman limestone head originating in the Eastern Mediterranean. The head depicts a young man with large, almond-shaped eyes that are gracefully framed by finely accented eyebrows. The mouth is small, round, and pouted and the head features individualising elements such as a set of large, protruding ears. The hair is elaborately coiffured, in a style reminiscent of the portrait type of Emperor Trajan (AD 98-117). The head blends into a solid block of limestone with a flat back, suggesting that it once formed part of a larger relief or stele. For a contemporary portrait from the eastern city of Palmyra, see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number: 01.25.5.
This item comes mounted on a custom-made stand. Repaired.
 
Provenance: Property of a central London gallery; formerly in a private French collection (1990s), thence by descent.