A Marble Head of a Woman, Queen, or Goddess, Egypt, Late Hellenistic, circa 1st Century B.C.

from a monumental figure, turned to her right, with long neck, idealized oval face with bow-shaped lips, and slightly upturned nose merging into finely arched brows, her wavy hair parted in the center and surmounted by a diadem, the back carved flat, with two dowel holes, and a channel for a marble clamp at neck-level; no restorations.

Laura Williamina Hohenlohe-Langenburg-Gleichen, Countess von Gleichen, born Seymour (1833-1912), England, acquired in Egypt
American private collection, after 1912
Jonas Senter (1917-2001), New York, acquired at auction in the 1970s
the Estate of Jonas Senter (Sotheby’s, New York, December 9th, 2003, no. 11, illus.)
acquired by the present owner at the above sale

André Boulanger, "Tête féminine provenant d’Égypte," Revue archéologique, vol. 19, 1912, pp. 110ff., figs. 1-3 (photos sent to the author by Salomon Reinach)
Georg Lippold, ed., Photographische Einzelaufnahmen antiker Skulpturen, nos. 5047–5048, illus.

Very good. As shown and described. Nose intact. Surface very slightly weathered especially on tip of nose and proper right cheek. Note slight dent above outer corner of proper right eye and shallow losses to edge of hair above both ears. Back was worked flat in Antiquity. Two small modern circular in back, including one used for securing head to mount, and ancient deep vertical channel in neck. Object is mounted at the wrong angle, tilted back too much, on an unstable early 20th century wood base, and sorely needs a new mount. Photos in catalogue show corrected angle.
"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."

The flat back suggests that the head was carved for insertion into a veiled statue, as exemplified in an over-lifesize honorific statue from Magnesia ad Maeandrum (D. Pinkwart, Antike Plastik, vol. 12, 1973, p. 149f., no. 1, pls. 49ff.); the face and neck were carved separately and inserted into a statue with the mantle draped as a veil over the head. The present head also shows stylistic similarities to the head of this statue (dedicated circa 62 B.C.), and may therefore be dated in the same period. It could have been a highly idealized portrait; cf. a head of similar size and technique from Kalydon, interpreted as the head of a honorific statue: P. Bol, Antike Plastik, vol. 19, 1988, p. 42, pl. 33.