A Marble Head of the Goddess Isis, Roman Imperial, 2nd Century A.D., probably from Egypt

turned slightly to her right, with parted lips, almond-shaped eyes each with incised line on the lower lid, and smooth brow, her deeply drilled hair bound in a chignon and diadem, long tresses escaping over the ears, a square mortise above the forehead for insertion of the crown of the goddess.

George Holden Tinkham, Boston and Cramerton, North Carolina, representative from Boston to the U.S. Congress, 1915-1943

Sotheby's, New York, June 18th, 1991, no. 98, illus.

For related examples see Bieber, Sculpture of the Hellenistic Age, figs. 330 and 331, and Vermeule, Sculpture in America, no. 185.

Congressman George Holden Tinkham traveled extensively in Europe, Africa, and Asia, and throughout his journeys collected works of art, many of which he gave to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. His political skills were legendary, and at one time he received both the Democratic and Republican nominations for his congressional seat. Among the numerous honors awarded him during his long career, which included ten years on the Foreign Affairs Committee, was the decoration in 1920 of Cavaliere della Corona d'Italia by the King of Italy. His individualistic, generous, and often tumultuous life is summarized by John T. Galvin, "The Nimrod of Mid-Africa and Lion of the House," Harvard Magazine, 1981, pp. 49-52.