Ancient Greece, Cyprus, ca. 3rd to 1st century BCE. An impressive limestone head of a female sensitively carved with a sweet visage of generously lidded eyes, a naturalistic nose, and thin lips all crowned by a centrally parted coiffure. Her hair is pulled back in a low chignon that forms a crown around her ovoid head. Limestone sculpture had a centuries-long tradition in Cyprus; it flourished during the Archaic and early Classical periods before its decline in the fourth century BCE. Greek control over the island during most of that time period - as well as a less overt but still important Greek influence on eastern Mediterranean culture - meant that Cypriot sculptors often imitated Greek statuary. Size: 4.1" L x 3.9" W x 5" H (10.4 cm x 9.9 cm x 12.7 cm)
This piece comes to us from the period when Cypriot artisans produced limestone art. In time, the availability of marble and bronze statuary from other areas of Greek cultural influence, coupled with the ease with which artists could travel around the area during the relative peace of the Hellenistic era, meant that the native tradition of limestone sculpture would eventually come to a demise, replaced by works from outside the island.
This item was sold by Sotheby & Co. on July 31st, 1972 as lot 197 and will be accompanied by a catalogue of the Sotheby & Co. auction.
Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection; ex-Sotheby & Co., London, UK, July 31st, 1972, lot 197
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#177348
Condition
Fragment of a larger piece with nicks, abrasions, and weathering to surface causing some softening of detail, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, good condition with nice presentation.