Marble Head of a Young Woman from the Severan Period

Culture: Roman

Period: 2nd-3rd century A.D.

Material: Marble

Dimensions: 23 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 3130

Provenance: Collection Professor Berger, former director of the Antikenmuseum in Basel until 2005. Thence collection Wolfgang Zoepnek, Dassendorf, Germany. Acquired at Galerie Günther Puhze on 3 August 2015. With expertise of Galerie Puhze.

Condition: Some wear on nose, brows and chin. A small addition on the lip, but of appealing vigor and quality.

Description: Almost life-size head of a young woman, whom the German archeologist Martin Flashar attributes in his expertise of 5 February 2013 to the surrounding of Empress Faustina Minor (wife of Marcus Aurelius). According to Flashar especially the hairstyle imitates the empress. The parting of her hair, the waves created with the curling iron are typical for Faustina Minor or women in her surroundings. In any case the head originates from Docimium, Phrygia. For reference see an architectural fragment, which was auctioned on 30 April 2008 at Christe’s in South Kensington, lot 42. The veil, the slightly bent head and her glancing to the right are clearly to be attributed to the same workshop.