A SICILIAN POLYCHROME SHIELD
centuripe, circa mid 3rd century b.c.
Circular in form with a large bust of Eros projecting from the tondo, his head turned slightly to his right, with extensive surviving polychromy, including brown for his long center-parted hair, yellow-brown for the central plait or ornament, and light pink for the flesh (only partly preserved), the eyes with dark brown pupils and light brown irises, the lips red, his outstretched wings in yellow, blue, pink and white, the bust emerging from acanthus in pink, blue and red, the tondo pink with scrolling tendrils in white, framed by white and yellow bands, the rim of the shield with crossed lines in pink, a small perforation above for suspension
14¼ in. (36.19 cm) diameter