Ancient Greek, Classical Period Patinated bronze Figurehead - 4.2 cm

GREEK BRONZE HEAD, TRADITIONALLY IDENTIFIED AS PAN
Attribution Greek, Hellenistic; circa 3rd century BCE (as stated in certificate)

Material Cast bronze with aged dark green and brown surface patina

Size 4.2 cm (as documented; dimension axis not independently verified)

Condition Excellent overall presentation; ancient fragment with irregular perimeter; examined from photographs

Provenance Collection of Mr A. K.; reportedly acquired on the London art market before
1990
Documentation Certificate of Authenticity, Artemission / Atticart Ltd., London, dated 21 February 2025



Object description

An engaging small bronze relief head, presented frontally with a softly smiling expression, pronounced cheeks, almond-shaped eyes and deeply modelled, swept and clustered locks.

The surface displays attractive dark patination with green mineral accretions and warmer brown areas. Its uneven outline and the apparent absence of a complete neck or body are consistent with survival as an element detached from a larger object, perhaps an appliqué, mount, vessel fitting or sculptural composition. Its precise original function cannot be determined from the available photographs.

The accompanying 2025 certificate identifies the subject as the Greek god Pan and dates the bronze to the third century BCE. The youthful, almost human facial treatment is compatible with some Hellenistic representations of Pan, although characteristic horns or caprine ears cannot be confirmed unequivocally in the supplied views. The designation “head of Pan” is therefore retained as a traditional attribution rather than an independently established identification.

Selected museum parallels

1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Bronze box mirror with relief head of Pan; Greek, late 4th century BCE; accession 25.78.44a–d. An especially useful iconographic comparison for a youthful Pan with expressive face and luxuriant hair, integrated into a larger bronze object.
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/251828

2. J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
Appliqué depicting the head of Pan; Greek, Late Hellenistic, circa 100 BCE; ivory; accession 87.AI.18. Demonstrates a separate head used as an attachment to a larger object; later and in a different material.
https://www.getty.edu/publications/resources/virtuallibrary/0892362235.pdf

3. Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland
Dancing Pan; Egypt, Coptic period, circa 350–500 CE; limestone; accession 1955.68. A much later, different-medium comparison illustrating Pan’s recognizable horned iconography; not a close stylistic or chronological match.
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1955.68

These are iconographic and functional comparanda, not identical objects or direct price comparables. The museum records do not establish this bronze’s authenticity or precise date.

Basis and limitations

No physical examination, metallurgical testing, independent authentication, export-law review or provenance-document verification has been performed. The certificate records a pre-1990 London-market acquisition but does not by itself document the full chain of ownership or lawful excavation/export. The display stand is included in the proposed sale.

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