Greek Hellenistic balsamarium in the form of the head of a Nubian, Alexandria, 1st century BC- 1st century AD
Bronze, silver inlay
Height 14.4cm
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The vessel takes the form of a well modelled head of a Nubian. His hair dressed in tight ringlets with one suspension loop remaining at the top. Full lips slightly parted, a strong furrowed brow frames eyes of silver inlay with engraved and drilled pupils. The bust emerges from an acanthus leaf spray which originally formed the top of the vessel's support. Left suspension loop and lid missing, the support broken away.
Provenance
Landau collection, Paris, France; acquired prior to 1971Cummer Museum, Jacksonville, Florida, USA; acquired from Charles Ede in 2019
Literature
Compare a slightly later variant in J. Vercoutter et al., The Image of the Black in Western Art, Vol.I (Lausanne, 1976), fig.372Publications
Connaissance des Arts (France, September 1971), illus.2
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