Marble head of a figure

Technical analysis: Multiband imaging, raking light examination, optical microscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy

This fragment preserves the head and neck of a figure carved from white marble. The front of the neck has a modern fill that extends onto the proper right side, while a large loss on the back is unfilled. A crack or flaw in the marble runs from the back of the neck onto the right half of the front. A modern brass rod has been inserted in the bottom of the neck for mounting. The surface is weathered and covered with a thin layer of brownish accretions. A small patch of red particles on the proper right side of the front of the head and a few particles of red on the reverse were identified as hematite, possibly associated with other undetermined iron oxides.

The broad head is U-shaped with a very slight flare at the temples and a curved top. The raised nose is placed high on the face, and in profile is the head’s most prominent feature. Because the entire back of the head and neck are carved in nearly the same plane, it is likely that the figure had a relatively straight profile, characteristic of the Late Spedos type. On the back, the transition from the head to the neck is marked by a shallow groove.

The head is of particular significance because of the numerous paint ghosts preserved on the surface. Although no pigment remains, a ghost image of the proper left eye is visible in raking light, as well as a thin band on the front. Below this band is the crack or flaw noted above. In addition, the ghosts of a mouth and proper left eye may be present, as well as a curl of hair on the forehead. On the back the ghost of a long, curled lock of hair is visible on the proper left side of the head. Traces of additional curls or parts of curls may also be present, though difficult to confirm.

Alexis Belis, Dorothy Abramitis, Federico Carò