Marble head of a ruler, probably Ptolemy V or VI Greek, hellenistic period, 3rd-2nd century B.C. Sculpted approximately half-lifesized, his oval head sligthly inclined to the right, almond-shaped eyes, heavy lids, slender nose, rounded chin and small mouth with parted lips, the curls of his short wavy hair summarily rendered and bound in a diadem; two drill holes on top of the head for the now lost diadem 16.5 cm. high Note Two grooves along the top of this head originally held a royal diadem, presumably made of bronze, and indicates that the man represented is a ruler. A number of royal portraits can be grouped around the Egyptian Greek kings of the second and early first centuries B.C. (Ptolemies IV-VIII), but a precise identification is often difficult because many of these marble portraits were clearly reworked to represent the next king who seized power. In addition, some of the finer marble likenesses, including the head under consideration, were strongly idealized thus further hampering an accurate identification. The splendid series of royal portraits on Ptolemaic coins provides the best surviving evidence for pinpointing individual rulers. For a similar portrait head of Ptolemy IV, see H. Kyrieleis, Bildnisse der Ptolemäer, Berlin, 1975, p. 47 no. 171, Pl. 36. Provenance Art market, Switzerland, May 1989 Private collection, Switzerland, acquired form the above Exhibition Musée d'art et d'histoire, Geneva, 2002 - 2017 Literature Renate Thomas, Eine postume Statuette Ptolemaios’ IV. und ihr historischer Kontext. Zur Götterangleichung hellenistischer Herrscher. Mainz: von Zabern 2002. VIII, 108 S. 20 Taf. 4º. Trierer Winckelmannsprogramme, Heft 18. Condition Tip of nose missing, minor chips and scratches to the surface, otherwise intact. Shipping terms Worldwide shipping. No export permit needed to ship from Switzerland.Buyers have to cover transport costs and any additional import costs (e.g. VAT, import levies). You also acknowledge and accept that you are responsible for checking if there is any specific rule or restriction applicable to the import of an object into your country. #masterpieces