Lot 97
** A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this artwork will be donated to the Anthony Quinn Foundation, whose mission is to advocate for the important role arts education plays in personal development and in the overall improvement of social, economic and cultural systems. Learn more at aqfoundation.org **
Central Europe, Celtic culture, ca. 2nd century BCE to 1st century CE. A wonderful head, hand-carved from porous limestone and presenting a minimalist visage with sunken, ovoid eyes, a straight, rectangular nose, and full lips held slightly parted. Petite incised striations frame the periphery of the head, possibly intended to represent a coiffure and beard. The stylized face has an expression scholars of Celtic art describe as "blank" or "open." Size: 5" W x 7.5" H (12.7 cm x 19 cm)
Celtic art from this period is often composed of simple lines and curves rich in hidden meaning that we puzzle over today. The Celtic world covered a huge geographic area in western and northern Europe but had a unified artistic style. Archaeologist Barry Cunliffe has written about how these disparate communities used travel by ship to cover vast distances and how sharing iconography like this face created a common cultural background. It is very interesting to realize that Celtic art of this style coexisted in Europe at the same time as Classical Greece's increasingly realistic sculpture and painting.
Provenance: ex-private collection of actor Anthony Quinn and his wife Katherine, Bristol, Rhode Island, USA acquired prior to 2000
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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#169172
- Condition: Fragment of a larger piece. Expected nicks, abrasions, pitting, and softening of detail, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with light earthen deposits. Modern putty and metal hook on verso for suspension.
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