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Finest quality Hellenistic head bead, 3rd - 1st century BC, drilled and sculpted in vivid banded agate. The head is wearing the pseudokore mask of Greek comedy.
The delicate carving carefully depicts the features of a wooden mask - wide face, pronounced chin and brow, large almond-shaped eyes for the wearer to see through. The sensuous lips and elegant nose depict youthful female beauty. There is a hairnet (kekryphalos) on the reverse and a triangle-shape on the forehead where the kekryphalos is tied in an intricate knot or bow - indicators of the pseudokore or 'false maiden'.
The false maiden was the Cinderella figure of Greek theatre - occupying a lowly station, she would be discovered to be a true citizen eligible for marriage to the hero of the tale.
The types in Greek theatre held much wider significance in daily life. Jewellery in this form was symbolic, perhaps indicating a young woman who becomes the heroine of her own story. This extraordinary micro-sculpture, just 19mm tall, will be set in a high jewellery lapel pin. Contact us to enquire.
