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Limestone male head

last quarter of the 6th century BCE
Not on view
This carefully executed head is of greatest interest for the headgear. The familiar helmetlike cap has on it the body of a bird. The animal's head is just above the man's forehead, the wings extend to either side, and the tail ends just before the projection at the top of the cap. In ancient Greece and Cyprus, the integration of whole animals or expressive parts into dress or armor was a frequent occurrence. Herakles with the lionskin is perhaps the foremost example. The priest, 74.51.2466, has a bull's head at the top of the cap. One wonders whether the individual depicted here was mortal or whether, conceivably, he might represent a special variant of Hermes, the messenger god whose travels were expedited by his winged shoes and cap.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Limestone male head
  • Period: Archaic
  • Date: last quarter of the 6th century BCE
  • Culture: Cypriot
  • Medium: Limestone
  • Dimensions: WebPub GR 2012 Cesnola: 17 1/2 × 8 1/2 × 12 1/2 in., 47 lb. (44.5 × 21.6 × 31.8 cm)
  • Classification: Stone Sculpture
  • Credit Line: The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
  • Object Number: 74.51.2848
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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Limestone head of a bearded man, Limestone, Cypriot
Limestone head of a bearded man
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early 6th century BCE
Limestone votary of a beardless male wearing a long garment and a conical helmet, Limestone, Cypriot
Limestone votary of a beardless male wearing a long garment and a conical helmet
Cypriot
ca. 550–525 BCE
Limestone head of beardless male votary, Limestone, Cypriot
Limestone head of beardless male votary
Cypriot
mid–1st century BCE
Limestone statue of Aphrodite holding winged Eros, Limestone, Cypriot
Limestone statue of Aphrodite holding winged Eros
Cypriot
late 4th century BCE
Limestone sarcophagus, Limestone, Cypriot
Limestone sarcophagus
Cypriot
ca. 475–450 BCE

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