Fragment of a Head from an Acrolithic Statue

This fragmentary female head was created in the acrolithic technique, in which marble was used only for those body parts showing flesh, while the hair and drapery would have been made of other materials, for example, limestone, bronze, or stucco. All of these additions are missing today. Approximately one-third of the left side of the head is preserved. The left eye is hollow indicating that it was inlaid. The hair at the front consists of horizontal crimped grooves framing the face and falling to the front of the ear in large thick locks. A flat hair band encircles the head just behind the ears. Behind the band, the hair is smooth with gently waving incised lines radiating from the crown. Strands of hair have “combed” striations to give texture. The back is left unfinished.