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Head of a woman
Roman
Imperial Period
A.D. 220–240
Medium/Technique
Marble from Göktepe, Turkey (near Aphrodisias)
Dimensions
Overall: 22 × 17.8 × 16.5 cm (8 11/16 × 7 × 6 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Robert E. Hecht, Jr.
Accession Number1970.325
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsSculpture
Catalogue Raisonné
Sculpture in Stone (MFA), no. 372; Sculpture in Stone and Bronze (MFA), p. 115 (additional published references).
DescriptionHead of a Roman woman. The face is round with a small chin and blemish free skin. Set far apart, the eyes are small and narrow with thick upper lids, incised irises, and drilled pupils. The gaze is directed to the right, following the turn of the head. The feathered eyebrows are gently arched. The mouth is small and has full lips. Parted in the middle, the hair is pressed into regular waves over the forehead and framing the upper portion of the face. The hair is then tucked behind the ears and forms a roll at the nape of the neck before being plaited and coiled into a flat, oblong bun.
The nose, chin, and roll of hair behind the right ear are damaged and broken away. There is a gash in the left eyebrow extending into the temple. The surface shows remains of a brown deposit, most noticeable in the hair, and there is a light yellow patina observable in the areas not affected by the incrustation.
Scientific Analysis:
University of South Florida Lab No. 8440: Isotope ratios - delta13C +2.2 / delta18O -2.8,
Istituto di Struttura della Materia - CNR Lab No. 10 (January 30, 2012): maximum grain size: 0.5mm; electron paramagnetic resonance: intensity 7.6%, line width 70.4%
Attribution - Göktepe 3, Turkey (near Aphrodisias). Justification - C and O isotopes, fine grain, pure white, low EPR intensity
Probability of correct quarry assignment (Istituto di Struttura della Materia - CNR Lab No. 10; January 30, 2012):
distance of sample from center of quarry probability field: 4.5; relative probability: 95%; absolute probability 48%
The nose, chin, and roll of hair behind the right ear are damaged and broken away. There is a gash in the left eyebrow extending into the temple. The surface shows remains of a brown deposit, most noticeable in the hair, and there is a light yellow patina observable in the areas not affected by the incrustation.
Scientific Analysis:
University of South Florida Lab No. 8440: Isotope ratios - delta13C +2.2 / delta18O -2.8,
Istituto di Struttura della Materia - CNR Lab No. 10 (January 30, 2012): maximum grain size: 0.5mm; electron paramagnetic resonance: intensity 7.6%, line width 70.4%
Attribution - Göktepe 3, Turkey (near Aphrodisias). Justification - C and O isotopes, fine grain, pure white, low EPR intensity
Probability of correct quarry assignment (Istituto di Struttura della Materia - CNR Lab No. 10; January 30, 2012):
distance of sample from center of quarry probability field: 4.5; relative probability: 95%; absolute probability 48%
ProvenanceBy 1969: with Robert E. Hecht, Jr.; gift of Robert E. Hecht, Jr. to MFA, April 8, 1970