Roman portrait head of a woman
This woman’s name is unknown, but her portrait indicates that she was likely a member of the imperial family. She wears a tall ornamental headband known as a stephane (possibly made from gold or gilded bronze in real life), typically reserved for goddesses and imperial women. Her elaborate hairstyle, with distinct locks woven around the headband, would have required the services of a skilled hairdresser. Moreover, the use of costly marble reflects her family’s wealth, while her commemoration with a finely carved portrait indicates that she was of elevated social standing.
Roman, ca. 117-130 CE.
34.3 × 26.7 × 26 cm (13 1/2 × 10 1/2 × 10 1/4 in.)
Art Institute of Chicago (ARTIC 1962.926)
Roman portrait head of a woman
This woman’s name is unknown, but her portrait indicates that she was likely a member of the imperial family. She wears a tall ornamental headband known as a stephane (possibly made from gold or gilded bronze in real life), typically reserved for goddesses and imperial women. Her elaborate hairstyle, with distinct locks woven around the headband, would have required the services of a skilled hairdresser. Moreover, the use of costly marble reflects her family’s wealth, while her commemoration with a finely carved portrait indicates that she was of elevated social standing.
Roman, ca. 117-130 CE.
34.3 × 26.7 × 26 cm (13 1/2 × 10 1/2 × 10 1/4 in.)
Art Institute of Chicago (ARTIC 1962.926)