HEAD OF JANUS White marble with patina and concretions. H. 11 cm Roman art, 2nd century This piece features two opposing faces sculpted back to back according to the traditional convention of Janus bifrons ("two-faced"). Each face, carved in high relief, has mature masculine features: a broad forehead, eyes sunken beneath pronounced superciliary arches, a straight nose, a full-lipped mouth and a square chin. One of the faces, better preserved, has a serene, contemplative expression. The second face, more eroded, nevertheless retains the legibility of its main features. The hairstyle, organised in short wavy locks framing the forehead and temples, follows the stylistic conventions of the 2nd century. The hair and short curly beard, treated as rounded volumes with delicate incisions, lend dignity and divine authority to the two physiognomies. The head is broken cleanly at the neck, indicating that it belonged to a double hermes (pillar surmounted by the double-headed head) or a full-length statue. A Roman Marble Head of Janus. 2nd century A.D. The piece presents two opposed faces sculpted back-to-back according to the traditional convention of Janus bifrons ("two-faced"). Each face, treated in high relief, displays mature masculine features: broad forehead, deep-set eyes beneath pronounced brow ridges, straight nose, mouth with full lips, square chin. One of the faces, better preserved, displays a serene and contemplative expression. The second face, more eroded, nevertheless preserves the legibility of its principal features. The hairstyle, organised in short undulating locks framing the forehead and temples, follows the stylistic conventions of the 2nd century. The hair and short curled beard, treated in rounded volumes with delicate incisions, confer divine dignity and authority upon the two physiognomies. The head is broken cleanly at the neck level, indicating it belonged to a double herm (pillar surmounted by the bicephalous head) or to a standing statue.