Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 6

Ancient British Iron Age Celtic, Stone Carving of a Human Head

$15,000List Price

About the Item

An enigmatic late Iron Age stone head sculpture, dating to the 1st century BC - 1st century AD. This imposing sculpture is of characteristically stylized form, carved with a slit mouth, defined ears and hairline. The life sized head is depicted with an intense, even discordant facial expression. The intentional simplicity and earthiness of the features are hallmarks of the type. The base appears to have been modified during the Roman period as it is inscribed in the Latin Alphabet with the letters LR. Stone carved heads such as this piece are found throughout the areas of Europe once inhabited by the Celts, they are particularly prevalent in Britain and Ireland. The head was sacred to the Celts, who believed (as many did throughout antiquity) that it housed the soul. They appear to have had huge significance in Celtic polytheistic practices, it is thought that there may even have been a cult of the human head, possibly revolving around headhunting. Certainly it is clear that the pre-Christian Celts placed an almost totemic value on severed heads. The Roman historian Diodoros Sikulos emphasised their value within Celtic warrior society, asserting that a Celt would not sell the embalmed head of his enemy for any price, claiming that he has no need of gold when he had such an obvious emblem of his courage and skill as a warrior. The heads were kept, carefully preserved in chests, and were removed to be put on display for guests in the warrior’s home. This reverence for the enemy’s severed head is much more than the mere tribal barbarism the Romans took it to be, it was obviously a ritual of both cultic and social significance. There are a multitude of theories on what stone heads such as this piece are meant to represent, though one leading theory is that they depict dieties from the Celtic Pantheon. Indeed, studies have found that these carvings are often found in the vicinity of ancient religious centres and monuments. Such places formed the centre for local communities celebrating important festivals, usually relating to the seasonal equinoxes. One such festival was samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year. It was the time when cattle were brought back down from the summer pastures, livestock were slaughtered for the winter and bonfires were lit across the hills. The human head was also important in this festival, as the skulls of ancestors were brought in order to feast with the living. The use of modern day pumpkin lanterns during Halloween is a continuation of this ancient tradition. Whatever the true function of this remarkable piece, it is clear that it would have played a clear role in the religious life of ancient Celtic society. It is both a powerful piece of Iron Age art and a vestige of ancient ritualistic customs. Provenance: From the collection of Ms. K. D. (name provided to the new owner). According to a letter from the previous owner, this piece was found in a garden in Somerset, England in 1910. The previous owner reportedly showed the piece to Miranda Aldhouse Green. Copies of aforementioned letter will be provided to the new owner.

Dimensions:
Height: 13 in (33.02 cm)
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
18th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
1st century BC to 1st century AD.
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU105221264226

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Ecuadorean Antiquities

Materials

Clay

Ecuadorian Carved Skull Shaped Whistle

$799 Sale Price

55% Off

H 1.5 in W 2 in D 2.5 in

Small Ecuadorian Moulded Clay Figure on Stand

Located in London, GB

This rare and wonderful example of a formative stage figure from the woodland period is attached to a small wire and wood stand, and is in extraordinarily very good condition for its...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Ecuadorean Antiquities

Materials

Clay

Small Ecuadorian Moulded Clay Figure on Stand

$1,240 Sale Price

50% Off

H 5.13 in W 1.5 in D 1.25 in

18th Century Swedish Decorated Mangle Board

Located in Kramfors, SE

Folk art mangle board from northern Sweden. This is a typical proposal gift to the would-be bride from the groom. If he had the skill the groom would make...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Folk Art Antiquities

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish Decorated Mangle Board

$1,501

H 4.73 in W 34.26 in D 5.12 in

Ancient Greek Terracotta Antefix in Form of the Head of Artemis Bendis, Taranto

Located in Antwerp, BE

Ancient Greek mould-made terracotta antefix decorated with the female head of the Goddess Artemis Bendis. Western Greek, Italy, Taranto, early 4th century BC. Two small feathered win...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Greek Antiquities

Materials

Stone

Ancient Greek Terracotta Antefix in Form of the Head of Artemis Bendis, Taranto

$6,727

H 7.49 in Dm 7.49 in

Spanish Hachero Traditional Ancient Wrought Iron Candleholder, circa 1930

Located in Barcelona, ES

Spanish 'Hachero' traditional ancient wrought iron candleholder. By unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1930. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and us...

Category

Vintage 1930s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Antiquities

Materials

Wrought Iron

Spanish Hachero Traditional Ancient Wrought Iron Candleholder, circa 1930

$1,816 Sale Price

66% Off

H 60.63 in W 28.35 in D 16.15 in

Contemporary Ebony Makonde African Wood Carving

Located in Houston, TX

A beautiful contemporary collector piece of Makonde ebony tree of life art carving with unbelievable detailed wood carving.

Category

Vintage 1950s Tanzanian Primitive Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ebony

Contemporary Ebony Makonde African Wood Carving

$1,400

H 16 in W 6.88 in D 2.5 in

Fox Head Doorstop, Cast Iron Door Stop A Beautiful Cast-Iron Doorstop

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Fox Head Doorstop, Cast Iron Door Stop A Beautiful Cast-Iron Doorstop depicting a Fox Head dating from the 19th Century This doorstop is Heavy and in sound used condition it is 6” h...

Category

Antique 19th Century Folk Art Antiquities

Materials

Iron

Fox Head Doorstop, Cast Iron Door Stop A Beautiful Cast-Iron Doorstop

$806

H 6 in W 5 in D 5 in

Collective Human Figures Terracotta Sculpture, Mexican Folk Art”

Located in Queretaro, Queretaro

A powerful hand-sculpted clay artwork representing a procession of human figures, each joined in a continuous rhythm of movement and unity. This piece reflects the essence of Mexican...

Category

2010s Mexican Pre-Columbian Primitives

Materials

Ceramic, Terracotta

Collective Human Figures Terracotta Sculpture, Mexican Folk Art”

$400

H 5.91 in W 13 in D 3.94 in

Marble Head of Hermes

Located in London, GB

Roman head of the god Hermes in an archaising style, following a Greek model from the fourth century B.C.. Hermes is depicted in manner typically found on herms, with a full beard of...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier European Classical Roman Antiquities

Materials

Marble

Marble Head of Hermes

$70,075

H 9.85 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in

Antique Lion s Head in Polychrome and Cast Iron on Stand

Located in Meer, VAN

Antique Lion's Head in Polychrome and Cast Iron on Stand Just a wonderful antique lion’s head in heavy cast iron on a later stand. The lion most probably used to be a door ornament ...

Category

Antique 19th Century European Antiquities

Materials

Iron

Antique Lion s Head in Polychrome and Cast Iron on Stand

$1,780

H 11.42 in W 6.7 in D 6.5 in

More From This Seller

View All

Polished Roman Marble Head of a Satyr

Located in London, GB

This finely polished Roman marble head of a satyr is an impressive and characterful sculpture. Depicted with full, parted lips, with teeth visible in between, a pointed goat’s ear, t...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Classical Roman Busts

Materials

Marble

Polished Roman Marble Head of a Satyr

$59,000

Free Shipping

Ancient Greek Glass Ring

Located in London, GB

This beautifully preserved Hellenistic glass ring is a timeless and stunning piece of ancient jewellery. Cast from transparent, light green glass, its large size and oval bezel - ori...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Classical Greek Glass

Materials

Glass

Ancient Greek Glass Ring

$17,000

Free Shipping

Ancient Greek Black Glaze Mug

Located in London, GB

This strikingly modern ancient Greek mug is a sleek and elegant example of Attic black-glaze pottery at its height. Developing in Athens in the 8th cent...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Classical Greek Jars

Materials

Pottery

Ancient Greek Black Glaze Mug

$15,000

Free Shipping

Ancient Greek Black Glaze Wine Cup

Located in London, GB

This exquisite black-glaze kantharos, or wine cup, is a wonderful example of the refined simplicity that characterises the artistic achievements of the Ancient Greeks. Its upper sect...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Classical Greek Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Ancient Greek Black Glaze Wine Cup

$14,000

Ancient Greek Black-Glaze Perfume Bottle

Located in London, GB

This sleek, black-glaze perfume pot dates to the 5th century BC and exemplifies the elegance of Athenian ceramic production in Ancient Greece. With a gently rounded body, and flared ...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Classical Greek Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Ancient Greek Black-Glaze Perfume Bottle

$8,500

Free Shipping

Late Bronze Age Sword

Located in London, GB

Saint Nazaire Sword, Late Bronze Age, circa 800-900 B.C. An exceptionally well preserved Bronze Age sword, with elegant, finely incised decorations,...

Category