Stone female head

This large female head was probably a finial from a monumental tomb alongside Watling Street (the Roman road which ran from London to Wroxeter), outside the Roman town of Lactodurum (Towcester). It represents a woman, larger than life-size, her hair worn in thick strands secured by a narrow band or diadem. Two curled locks descend on to the cheeks. The head shows a mixture of native British and Roman styles. Though the Celtic style indicates that it was probably made by a local craftsman, the exaggerated features and flat face do recall Roman theatre masks.