• r2-96-10
    Head of Persian or Amazon, frontal view. (©Archaeological Exploration of Sardis/President and Fellows of Harvard College)

Head of Persian or Amazon

Date
Hellenistic
Sardis or Museum Inv. No.
S59.068
Material
Marble, Stone
Object Type
Sculpture
Sculpture Type
Mythological Figure, Human Figure
Site
Sardis
Sector
BS
Trench
BS 59
Locus
BS Locus BS-W 12 (Area of)
B-Grid Coordinates
W47.50 / N1.00 *97.50 - 97.25
Findspot
BS
Description

The head is turned and tilted slightly upwards and to its r. It is unclear whether this was originally part of a relief; the r. side is in part broken away and in part left unfinished, suggesting that it was. The cap is shown as soft material with crested flap down the center of the back, a type worn by both Persians and Amazons. Waves and curls of hair project from under the cap. The elongated eyes have no internal detail but smooth prominent rims and heavy upper lids. The nose is broad, the mouth small and full.

Worked with chisel only, especially well cut around the eyes. Hellenistic work of 3rd or 2nd C. B.C. which shows Pergamene inspiration in the tilt of head and heavy eye lids.

Condition

White marble.

Broken off at neck. R. side and chin missing. Broken off flat at bottom as if intentionally.

Dimensions
H. 0.10; W. 0.06; D. 0.08.
Comments
Cf. Bieber, Hellenistic Age, figs. 250-252 for this kind of cap.
See Also
Bibliography
Author
NHR