An Ancient Roman Marble Head

Period: 200-300

Origin: Italy and England

Medium: Marble

Literature: It was a common practice at the height of the Grand Tour’s popularity for collectors of antiquities to have carved appropriate marble supports for their fragmentary purchases. Ancient Roman heads can often be seen on 17th or 18th century shoulders amongst country house collections. Indeed the Earl of Pembroke filled Wilton House near Salisbury with many such busts and heads, some of which still remain on public display.