| 41 An archaic marble head, mid-6th century B.C. Archaic marble head of high quality, as topping of a vertically oriented architectural element, possibly from the sima of an archaic temple, similar to the ram’s head from the telesterion of Peisistratos in Euleusis, modelled on a gargoyle without its actual function. The rear half and the straight back roughly chiselled over the entire surface (secondary in modern times). The front half is precisely worked and of high quality, the surface finely polished. Above the forehead, running in an arc, four rows of curls ending in front of the ears. Behind the smoothly worked head, set off towards the back. Below the ears, two rows of curls running down along the back of the cheeks. Behind them the sides run smoothly without being set off. Eyebrows and eyelids finely worked. The lips, drawn slightly upwards to form a smile, open a crack and expose the ends of the upper and lower row of teeth (as in the head of a Gorgon, with an apotropaic character?). The head tilted obliquely forward for a view from below. More conspicuous abrasions on the eyebrows, right cheek and tip of the nose, otherwise only minimal in isolated places. Overall a very well preserved archaic sculpture of high artistry and charisma. Comes with a modern plexiglass base with steel pin. On the underside of the sculpture a socket for the steel pin. Dimensions without base: length ca. 25 cm, width ca. 19 cm, height ca. 22 cm. Provenance: From an Austrian private collection, acquired from another Austrian private collection seven years ago. 311409 I - II € 90.000
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