Larger-than-life Cypriot Limestone Head of a Dignitary

Culture: Cypriot

Period: End of 6th century B.C.

Material: Limestone

Dimensions: 29 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 2407

Provenance: Private collection Irma (1919-2015) and Benjamin (1910-1992) Weiss, New York, acquired mid of the 20th century. Thence on the English art market.

Condition: Nose restored, wear on the right eye, the back of the head flat.

Description: Magnificent, slightly larger-than-life head of a bearded man with a wreath identifying him as a dignitary in an important position. The head in an archaic style with high cheekbones, almond-shaped eyes, a long, straight nose and the typical archaic smile. The full beard with thick, tight curls, which already start at the temples. Three similarly worked out thick curl rows frame the forehead of the dignitary and reach to the freestanding ears. Above a broad wreath of leaves. The size of the head and the depiction of the wreath clearly indicate that the head was part of a statue of an important personality. For the type of a bearded man see Vassos Karageorghis’ “Ancient Art from Cyprus – The Cesnola Collection“, number 74, page 111. As well for the wreath see F.N. Pryce’s “Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities of the British Museum”, Vol. I, Part II, Cypriote and Etruscan, London 1931, C. 99, page 46. Mounted.