Bronze Head of a Man with an Elephant Scalp

Culture: Roman

Period: 2nd century A.D.

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 3 cm high

Price: 1 200 Euro

Ref: 3504

Provenance: From the private estate of the Parisian art dealer François Antonovich (1934-2023), acquired in the 1970s.

Condition: Intact

Description: Bronze head of a man, who wears an elephant scalp. The man with a far protruding, strong chin and large eyes with hallmarked pupils. The trunk of the elephant is raised and decorated with transverse grooves, the ears protruding. On the back wavy incised fur depiction. Originally Alexander the Great was depicted with an elephant scalp. This form of presentation is a reminiscence to his successes in India. During the Roman period the elephant scalp symbolized either the personification of Alexandria or Africa, the exact interpretation is still being discussed in research. The head with an open bottom served as a furniture decoration. Possibly from Alexandria. Mounted.