An Unfinished Greek Marble Head of a Woman

Hellenistic, Circa 4th-2nd Century B.C.

Height 13 3/4 inches (34.93 cm).

Property from The Brummer Collection from Drs. John and Pat Laszlo, Atlanta, Georgia

Provenance:

Moise Emanuelides, prior to 1924.

Ernest Brummer (1891-1964), Paris & New York, acquired from the above, 14 June 1924.

Ella Bache Brummer, New York, 1964-1999; thence by descent to her nephew, Dr. John Laszlo, Atlanta, Georgia.

Published:

G.M.A Richter, The Sculpture and Sculptors of the Greeks, New Haven, 1950, fig. 433.

Galerie Koller and Spink & Son, Zurich, The Ernest Brummer Collection: Ancient Art, Vol. II, 16-19 October 1979, no. 623 (illus.).

For The Brummer Gallery Records at The Metropolitan Museum Cloisters Library and Archive, see Object Inventory Card Number: P1055 [https://libmma.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16028coll9/id/62607/rec/2]

Aesthetically evocative, this striking female head remains unfinished, with the rough point and chisel only hinting at the personality within. The woman’s hair is parted in the center, with locks brushed over her ears into what would have been a low chignon. This sweeping arrangement of the hair creates a triangular brow demarcated by swells for the eyebrows and slight depressions beneath for expressive eyes. From coquettish to delightfully demure, a slight smile is visible and hints at the variety of personae the finished product might have taken.

The head turns strongly to the right and below the neck terminates in a slim rectangular bust, certainly intended for insertion into a full-length body. In the Hellenistic period, honorific statues of civically important women began populating Greek and Roman public spaces, and this unfinished visage was likely intended for such a context. The sides and bottom of the bust are finished more finely than the face itself, perhaps indicating that its insertion into the body would have taken place before the final finishing of her visage, neck, and integration with the surrounding décolletage and garment.

The crystalline structure at a small break at the rear seems to indicate that Greek island marble was used. A slight flattening at the nose and lips might be the reason the face was never finished and used as intended.

Inspected under UV light and 10x loupe. Heavily weathered surface with various encrustations. Areas of reddish and brown patina. Some chips, particularly along edges which reveal fine scintillation of marble. Generally in fine and attractive condition. See additional images.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

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

Jacob Coley

Senior Vice President, Head of Department, Antiquities and Ancient Art

[email protected]312 280 1212

Mr. Coley joined the Antiquities department in 2021 after working as Managing Director in the Ancient Art department at Colnaghi, the world’s oldest commercial art gallery, where he helped to establish the Ancient Art department and launched Colnaghi New York in 2017. Prior to Colnaghi, Mr. Coley was in the Greek and Roman Art department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mr. Coley holds a B.A. from the University of Miami and an M.A. in Art Market from the Fashion Institute of Technology, and he earned an art-appraisal certificate from New York University.

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

Antiquities & Ancient Art: Including Property from the Brummer Collection

An Unfinished Greek Marble Head of a Woman

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup