figure
- Museum number
- 1903,1121.1
- Description
-
Limestone woman's head, larger than life-size.
The head is set, frontal and neckless, upon a base. The facial features are striking, because of the intensity of feeling conveyed and because of the linear style of raised ridges in which they are rendered. The eyes are set close together under a furrowed brow: they are almond-shaped and protuberant, with the lids defined by ridges and the pupils by a drilled hole. The nose is long and separated by a groove from the mouth, which is small and down-turned. The chin is prominent. The hair is shown as thick strands, drawn to the sides from a central parting and secured by a narrow band or diadem, with central rosette. A stylised kiss-curl (rather incongruously) lies on each cheek. The whole face has a mask-like quality because it is so flat: the ears are depicted frontally, and a profile view shows that the brow, nose and chin all project in the same plane (CSIR I, 8).
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 310 millimetres
-
Height: 570 millimetres
-
Width: 345 millimetres
- Curator's comments
- Toynbee described this head as that of an underworld goddess.
Toynbee 1964 'Art in Britain under the Romans' p112, note 5
- Location
- On display (G49/od)
- Condition
- The right side of the head, including the ear, and the right side of the base are lost in a straight break. There are abrasions to the chin and mouth, and large chips are missing from the base (CSIR I, 8).
- Acquisition date
- 1903
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1903,1121.1
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: OA.249