Collection Item – Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

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Marble female head; 3rd century BCE; 189.01

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleMarble female head

About this objectThis small marble head is of a female figure, believed to be Aphrodite. The head was broken from a statuette, the body of which is now lost. The sharply angled head suggests it may have belonged to a famous statue type showing the goddess bending down to loosen her sandal. This pose captured a moment in Aphrodite’s preparation for bathing. Alternatively it may be from the statue type of Aphrodite standing with her foot on a rock. Both were very popular poses for representations of Aphrodite in the later Hellenistic style.

Aphrodite rising naked from the sea or bath was a favourite subject in Hellenistic art and into the Roman period, when there was an interest in representing figures in momentary informal – and often erotic – ways.

Her head is turned slightly to the right, her expression serene. Her hair is drawn back from the face in two waves with a central parting. Long plaits or loose curls fall on either side of the neck, and wisps of hair curl around her ears onto her cheeks. There appears to have been some form of topknot or headdress, possibly a polos, which is now lost along with the majority of a bun at the back.

Date Made3rd century BCE

Place NotesSaid to be from Pompeii

Medium and MaterialsMarble

Style and IconographyHellenistic

TechniqueCarving (processes)

Measurements89mm x 62mm x 73mm

Subject and Association KeywordsWomen in art

Subject and Association KeywordsFigurative art

Subject and Association KeywordsGoddesses in art

Subject and Association KeywordsArt and religion

Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Object TypeFigurine

Object number189.01