Hellenistic Silver Head of Hera

Culture: Greek

Period: 2nd century B.C.

Material: Silver

Dimensions: 5.3 cm high

Price: 18 000 Euro

Ref: 2532

Provenance: With Elie Borowski, Basel, Switzerland, prior to 1980. There acquired by Furman Hebb (1930-2021), New York.

Condition: Except for some minor casting holes and minimal traces of corrosion intact and of wonderful quality.

Description: Masterly worked out, heavy silver head of Hera, wife of Zeus. The goddess with fine features, high cheekbones and a slightly open mouth, which indicates a smile. The eyes look awake from wide lids, the brows rise elegantly in a semicircle from the bridge of the nose. Hera has her wavy hair parted in the centre until the back of her head and pulled back. On the sides and at the back thick strands cascade to the nape. A high diadem crowns her head. See for the depiction the marble head of Hera in the Archaeological Museum in Tirana, Albania, as well as the famous Barberini Hera (or Juno) in the Museo Pio-Clementino in the Vatican. Both heads were modelled by Roman sculpturers based on a Greek original. The present silver head, which is dated around 300 years prior to the Barberini Hera, originates from a Greek workshop. It is not only exceptionally rare, but also of finest quality. Mounted.