A Greek Marble Head of Aphrodite , Hellenistic Period, ca. 2nd - 1st century BCE

The goddess of love finely sculpted, with her head gently tilted to the left and her gaze downturned. She has a lovely oval face with youthful, idealized features. Her brows smoothly merge with the bridge of her nose, and she possesses deep-set eyes with prominent upper lids. Her lips are full and sensual, and her chin is pointed. Her hair is styled in an elaborate melon coiffure, swept back over her ears and elegantly gathered in a chignon at the back. Her neck is thin and graceful, featuring naturalistic contours. 

Note: The positioning of the goddess's head and downward gaze are reminiscent of the full-body depictions of the goddess standing, such as the so-called Capitoline Venus, the Capua Venus and the Aphrodite from Arles, all likely based on 4th century B.C. prototypes. 

Medium: Marble

Dimensions: Height: 3 3/8 inches (8.5 cm).  Presented on a custom mount.

Condition: The head is intact with a surface that is slightly weathered and textured, showing signs of age and exposure. It has a slight grainy quality with minor abrasions, which is common in ancient sculptures due to natural erosion or handling over time. The coloration is primarily a light, off-white or pale beige, with some warmer, yellowish or brownish tones subtly emerging in certain areas, possibly from oxidation or mineral deposits. The surface reflects light softly, indicating that it has not been highly polished, preserving more of its natural, aged stone character.

Provenance: Ex. private New York, NY, USA collection, acquired from the NY trade.