A Greek Marble Head of a Youth, Attic, circa 340-330 B.C.

turned slightly to his right, his expressive face with full parted lips and deep-set eyes beneath the prominent brow, the thick mass of curly hair freely worked; no restorations.

European private collection, 1960s (based on custom-made Belgian black marble base and aging painted restoration on lower lip as seen in 1983 auction catalogue profile photograph)
Münzen und Medaillen AG, Basel, Auktion 63, Kunstwerke der Antike, June 29, 1983, no. 93, illus., consigned by "J.G.," acquired by "Zimmermann", as per auctioneer's catalogue)
Robin Symes, Ltd., London
acquired from the above in 1986

Giorgos Despinis, "Note su alcuni naiskoi funerari da Merenda," in Gabrielli Capecchi, ed., In Memoria Enrico Paribeni, vol. 1, Rome, 1998, p. 146, pl. 35, 3-4 (1983 Basel auction catalogue photographs)

As shown and described. Proper left upper and lower lip chipped and formerly restored in painted plaster. Shallow chip on proper right side of chin. Minor chips on eyebrows. Rims of ears lightly abraded. Line of rust stains extending across the forehead to the top of proper right ear. Back of head carved in a summary way. It has been suggested that the head might join with the body of a youth in the Dallas Museum of Art (inv. no. 1966.26: https://www.dma.org/collection/artwork/ancient-mediterranean/figure-young-man-funerary-relief ).
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present head was originally part of an attic funerary monument of the late 4th Century B.C.; cf. the head of the youth from the so-called Ilissos-stele: C. Clairmont, Classical Attic Tombstones, vol. 2, 1993, pp. 821ff., no. 2.950. Particularly close in style appears to be a bearded head from an attic funerary monument in the Winnipeg Art Gallery: L. Stirling, Antike Kunst, vol. 44, 2001, pp. 13ff., pl. 7f.