Head fragment (sculpture)
Category
Art / Sculpture
Date
1750 - 1800
Materials
Marble
Measurements
240 mm (H)190 mm (W)175 mm (D)
Order this imageCollection
Downhill, County Londonderry
NT 180526
Summary
Fragment of portrait head of a man, circa 1750 - 1800. The hair is brushed back from the face. On the left side there is volume in front of ear and even behind it where the locks originate. The back of the hair is raised flat surface that cuts so evenly across the back of the neck that it looks like a helmet. Head probably turned to its right. There is a forelock in front of repaired right ear. The head lacks its face entirely and has a sharply cut and inorganic hairline behind the ears and across the nape. Strands of hair have been engraved within the space defined by the raised hairline. The technique of leaving a blank cover of marble for the hair does occur in ancient sculpture. Yet, the long strands, visible above the ears, are pulled backwards and are not in keeping with the short cut across the nape. This constitutes no ancient hairstyle. It is interesting that the right ear has been repaired. One cannot exclude the possibility that this was an ancient head that was re-cut.