Mesopotamia, Middle Euphrates Region
2nd to 1st millennium BC
Woman's head with Polos hairstyle
Dimensions off base: 8,8 x 6,3 cm
Terracotta
Surface erosion and limescale, traces of black pigment
Former private collection from the 70s
The head shown here illustrates one of the types of hairstyle from the Middle Euphrates region, especially in the Mari region: Polos, This is probably a fabric, maybe a felt covering a light frame to create a bulky hairstyle, in one piece, creating a shaped flared tiara, rounded on the upper part, A horizontal band passes over the top of the head, to fix it,
On both sides of the face and on the nape of the neck, the Polos widens to form what looks like a wid, no doubt hiding long hair, the latter being materialized here by fine vertical incisions on the forehead and on the temples,
The face is characterized by a singular expression intensified by the use of black pigments for the eyebrows and eyes, These are framing a long nose above a beautiful small closed mouth, Eyes are of particular importance in Sumerian culture: they are often voluntarily represented as very large, because for Sumerians, life and intelligence were shown through the gaze,
"We also find this type of hairstyle on elements of Mari shell mosaics, evoking a ritual scene in which participating women wearing Polos, They were perhaps priestesses, or women who would have played a special role during ceremonies, These priestesses, or courtly ladies, would have liked to have their statues erected while wearing Polos, as ex-votos in the temples of Mari." (extract from documentation from the Louvre)
____ After the sale, you can pick up your lots at 3 cité Rougement 75009 Paris. Shipping fare is 20€ to France and 25€ to Europe for any unframed engraving or drawing. Insurance not included. Full price list available in sale conditions.
Mésopotamie, Région du Moyen Euphrate
2nd -1er millénaire avant notre ère
Tête de femme coiffée du polos en terre cuite
Hors socle: 8,8 x 6,3 cm
Érosion de surface et dépôt calcaire, traces de pigment noir
Provenance: Ancienne collection privée des années 70
La tête présentée ici illustre un des types de coiffure attestés dans la région du Moyen Euphrate, en particulier dans la région de Mari: le polos, Il s'agit sans doute d'un tissu, peut-être un feutre recouvrant une armature légère pour créer une coiffure volumineuse, en une pièce, en forme de tiare évasée, arrondie vers le haut, Un bandeau horizontal, passant sur le sommet de la tête, permettait de la fixer, De part et d'autre du visage et sur la nuque, le polos s'élargit pour former comme une chevelure postiche cachant sans doute de longs cheveux, ces derniers étant matérialisés ici par de fines incisions verticales sur le front et sur les tempes,
_______Après la vente vous pourrez retirer vos lots au 3 cité Rougemont 75009 Paris. Forfait de 20€ pour la France et 25 € pour L’Europe hors assurance pour l’expédition de lithographies ou dessins non encadrés. Retrouvez la grille des tarifs indicatifs de livraison dans informations de ventes.