A Roman Marble Portrait Head of a Veiled Woman

Circa Late 1st Century B.C.-Early 1st Century A.D.

Height 12 inches (30 cm).

This lot is located in Chicago.

Provenance:

Private Collection, Zurich, Switzerland, 1981; thence by decent.

Art Market, New York, 2000.

Aphrodite Ancient Art, New York, Fine Antiquities, 16 April 2020, Lot 14.

The portrait of this somewhat idealized woman has a distinctive hairstyle known as the nodus type, and a variant of that worn by Octavia and the young Livia. This style saw the hair parted in three, with the hair from the sides of the head tied in a bun at the back while the middle section is looped back on itself. Although most of her hair is covered, the bun is suggested with a subtle bow of the veil in the back of her head.

Inspected under UV light and 10x loupe. Intact as preserved with restoration to nose, lips, right cheek, and overall left side of the face. Overall orange and greyish surface patina. Gashes to the veil and left ear with a few other minor chips and abrasions throughout. The break at the neck is uneven with a hole drilled in the center. It is currently mounted on a movable black wooden base with steel dowel. Fine, stable and attractive condition overall. Height with stand 18 1/2 inches.

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Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Sam Cowan

Associate Vice President, Head of Sale, Interiors Interiors

[email protected]312 280 1212

Sam Cowan is the Associate Vice President, Head of Sale, Interiors
Interiors by Freeman's.

Sam has spent his life in the auction industry, accompanying his father, Wes Cowan to auctions, trade shows and eventually to his own eponymous auction house, in the mid-1990s. He joined his father’s auction house, Cowan’s, full-time in 2012 in the Arms and Armor department and as a fine and decorative arts specialist, a department where he would ultimately become director. Sam has an interest in 20th century design, pottery, early advertising, historic Americana and antique firearms. He is a licensed auctioneer in three states and is a featured appraiser on The Antiques Roadshow.

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A Roman Marble Portrait Head of a Veiled Woman

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