ostracon ancient art
catalogue

Egyptian Grotesque Head of an Ugly Slave, Roman Period, 200-250 AD

Large terracotta head with caricatural features, the face showing wide open eyes under arched eyebrows, a prominent nose, fleshy lips and protruding ears.

The head is the depiction of an ugly slave and fits into the grotesque tradition of Hellenistic art; the present head however is a Roman imperial development.

For an almost identical head cf. lot no. 393 in: J. Fischer. Griechisch-Römische Terrakotten aus Ägypten. Tübingen 1994.

Broken at the neck level, rear missing. Tip of the nose and left side of the chin slightly worn. Fine modeling.

H. 5.1 cm (2 in)
H. with stand 13.2 cm (5.2 in)

Swiss art market

340 USD