Lot 161
161
A ROMAN ONYX CAMEO PORTRAIT BUST OF A YOUNG WOMAN of oval form, showing a draped woman in profile to the left cut deeply into the white layer, her hair dressed in 'melon' coiffure ending in thick braided locks, late 2nd/early 3rd Century A.D.

Details
A ROMAN ONYX CAMEO PORTRAIT BUST OF A YOUNG WOMAN of oval form, showing a draped woman in profile to the left cut deeply into the white layer, her hair dressed in 'melon' coiffure ending in thick braided locks, late 2nd/early 3rd Century A.D.
1 1/8in. (2.9cm.) long

Lot Essay

The 'melon' coiffure, originally a Greek hairstyle, was worn at various periods of the Roman Empire, including the 3rd Century A.D. onwards. From coin-portraits, it was worn both by Plautilla, the wife of Caracalla (202-205 A.D.), and Julia Paula, the first wife of Elagabulus (219-220/1 A.D.)

More from Antiquities

View All
View All