ROMAN GREY MARBLE STATUE OF A SLEEPING GIRL
Mid - end 2nd century AD
length m 1.13

Nude, with eyelids ajar, in an deep slumber; a drapery surrounds the head, descending and wrapping around the body under the soft belly. Exotic features, evocative of North Africa; however the hairstyle refers to those of the Antonine Dynasty, such as Faustina Major. We don't know whether it represent a sarcophagus lid or a stand-alone sculpture, we only know that this sleeping girl statue was loved in the past, because of the numerous restorations and reconsideration: an iron rod at the feet to reinforce - the armilla on the right arm sculpted at a later point - the hole in the ear realized for a lost metal or glass earring - the upper part of the head restored in antique with a sculpted portion of Parian marble.

Provenance. English private collection; purchased from Ghassan T. Rihani, Amman - London (with a photocopied invoice dated 2 July 1987).