Head of Athena

Preserved is a helmeted head of Athena. There are rectangular cuttings in the helmet over both ears for attaching side ornaments and on the top for the addition of a crest. Three locks of hair sweep back from the temples and protrude from under the helmet to cover the tops of the ears. A thick ponytail with carved strands extends below the back edge of the helmet. The face is soft and fleshy. The eyes are framed by thick lids with the tear ducts indicated by small drill holes. A drill channel separates the lips. Both ears are fully carved with the interior depressions also showing marks of drill work. The head, which presumably was originally attached to a statue, is broken horizontally from below the chin. The bottom is worked flat, possibly representing a joined surface.