Marble Bust of Demeter

Culture: Roman

Period: 1st-2nd century A.D.

Material: Marble

Dimensions: 55 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 3345

Provenance: German private collection D., Hamburg, acquired 1999. As of 2004 with Ceres GmbH in Hamburg. Thence on the Belgian art market. Bonhams London auction on 2 October 2014, lot 73.

Condition: Some wear on the nose, the chin restored.

Description: Life-size bust of the goddess Demeter of fine crystalline marble. The goddess with her curly hair parted in the centre falling over her forehead. On her head a fillet, which holds the veil cascading sideways over her shoulder. The face with fine features, the eyes with a vigilant gaze behind delicately drawn, thick lids, the lips gently wavily formed, the mouth closed. In front of each ear a thin tress curling on each cheek. Demeter wears a form fitting chiton, which falls over her breasts in fine pleats. The bust sits on an incorporated oval base. The back is flat. At the bottom on the back a hole for suspension.