• r2-97-10
    Wreathed female head, frontal view. (©Archaeological Exploration of Sardis/President and Fellows of Harvard College)

Wreathed Female Head

Date
Hellenistic
Sardis or Museum Inv. No.
S64.020
Material
Marble, Stone
Object Type
Sculpture
Sculpture Type
Mythological Figure, Human Figure
Site
Sardis
Sector
HoB
Trench
MTW
B-Grid Coordinates
W10 - W15 / S170 - S175 *107 - 106
Findspot
MTW lower trench.
Description

The head, tilted slightly upward and to her l., is crowned by a wreath of leaves tied back with a bow. The hair has a central part which continues all the way to the back. Waves at both sides reveal ear lobes. Pupils and irises are not indicated but ridges for lids surround the eyes. The upper lids are heavier than the lower, thus the eyes appear to be looking upwards. Well-defined mouth turns down at corners. Cheeks and forehead are highly smoothed. The neck has a horizontal wrinkle.

In the classical tradition are the small chin, aquiline nose, and rounded cheeks. Lack of drill work and careful use of chisel indicate a Hellenistic date, while upward-tilted head and eyes suggest Pergamene influence.

Condition

Fine white marble, almost translucent.

Broken off at lower neck. Tip of nose missing. Heavily incrusted with lime at upper r. and back.

Dimensions
H. 0.087; W. 0.06; D. 0.07.
Comments
See Also
Bibliography
Author
NHR