56 - GALLO-ROMAN MARBLE HEAD WITH INSCRIPTIONS

GALLO-ROMAN MARBLE HEAD WITH INSCRIPTIONS WESTERN EUROPE, 2ND - 5TH CENTURY A.D. carved and heavily weathered marble, depicting a male figure with short, stylised hair, carved with simplified facial features, a prominent nose and closed mouth, the head is formed from a roughly worked rectangular section of marble, with inscriptions (likely medieval in date) to the sides and top of the head 43.2cm tall Provenance: Private collection, United Kingdom, acquired on the French art market; Private collection, France, acquired mid-20th century and thence by descent The present piece was likely at one point part of a larger architectural element, Of particular interest on are the deeply incised markings to the sides and top, which appear to have been added at a later date. It has been suggested that these represent schematic depictions of ecclesiastical buildings, perhaps executed as a form of devotional graffiti. One composition comprises a rectangular structure with a round-headed doorway, whilst elsewhere crosses appear to surmount domed architectural forms. Although somewhat rudimentary in execution, the depth of the incisions suggests a degree of deliberation beyond casual sketching.