A Fragmentary Roman Portrait Head of a Child, perhaps Egypt, circa 1st Century A.D.

with lightly incised eyebrows and short incised hair, a broad band extending from the crown and terminating over the forehead in a row of three pearls; no restorations.

Moïse Levi de Benzion (1873-1943), Cairo (auction at the villa Benzion at Zamalek, Phocion Tano, expert, March 20th, 1947)
Nadia Kossiakov (alt. sp. Kossiakoff), born Sednaoui (1925-2015), Paris
by descent to her niece and god-daughter, the present owner

Lips, tip of nose, area betwen eyebrows, and rim of ear are chipped, surface vigorously cleaned.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

For portraits with similar head ornament (ger.: Scheitelschmuck) see V. v. Gonzenbach, Bulletin de Correspondance Hellénique, vol. 93, 1969, pp. 885ff. Also see K. Fittschen and P. Zanker, Katalog der römischen Porträts in den Capitolinischen Museen, vol. 4, 2014, p. 168, no. 194, pl. 171.

Nadia Sednaoui posed for Henri Matisse in the Summer of 1948. He executed several drawings of her head in both ink and charcoal, and produced several prints shortly thereafter.