HEAD OF VENUS White marble with patina H. 16 cm Roman art, 1st century Provenance Estate of Clément Massier, Ceramist (1844 Vallauris - 1917 Golfe-Juan) The face has the idealised features characteristic of representations of Venus: a perfect oval, a broad, smooth forehead and full, soft cheeks suggesting eternal divine youth. The almond-shaped eyes, with their finely sculpted lids, look slightly downwards, in keeping with the classic convention of the divine introspective gaze. The straight nose, with delicately modelled nostrils, follows the Greek profile. The hair, wavy in soft locks, is pulled back and tied at the top of the head in the style known as the "Venus knot" (nodus), the canonical hairstyle of the goddess since the Hellenistic period. Excellent state of conservation for an antique fragment. Head intact with no visible restoration. Slightly blunted nose, localised surface erosion. Noble creamy-beige patina consistent with age. A Roman Marble Head of Venus. 1st Century A.D. he face presents the idealized features characteristic of Venus representations: perfect oval, broad smooth forehead, full soft cheeks suggesting divine eternal youth. The almond-shaped eyes, with finely sculpted lids, gaze slightly downward according to the classical convention of divine introspective gaze. The straight nose, with delicately modeled nostrils, follows the Greek profile. The hair, undulating in supple locks, is drawn back and knotted at the top of the skull according to the style called "Venus knot" (nodus), canonical coiffure of the goddess since the Hellenistic period. Good state of conservation for an ancient fragment. Intact head without visible restoration. Nose slightly worn, localized superficial erosion. Noble beige-cream patina consistent with antiquity.