Ancient British Iron Age Celtic, Stone Carving of a Human Head

View Similar Items

Ecuadorian Carved Skull Shaped Whistle

Small Ecuadorian Moulded Clay Figure on Stand

18th Century Swedish Decorated Mangle Board

A Celtic Stone Head with ‘Staring’ Eyes, Long Nose and Slit Mouth

Ancient Greek Terracotta Antefix in Form of the Head of Artemis Bendis, Taranto

Spanish 'Hachero' Traditional Ancient Wrought Iron Candleholder, circa 1930

Contemporary Ebony Makonde African Wood Carving

Fox Head Doorstop, Cast Iron Door Stop A Beautiful Cast-Iron Doorstop

Marble Head of Hermes

Scale model of an ancient chinees vessel

Antique Lion's Head in Polychrome and Cast Iron on Stand

Antique Real Size Human Skeleton

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 6

Ancient British Iron Age Celtic, Stone Carving of a Human Head

$15,000List Price

About the Item

An enigmatic late Iron Age stone head sculpture, dating to the 1st century BC - 1st century AD. This imposing sculpture is of characteristically stylized form, carved with a slit mouth, defined ears and hairline. The life sized head is depicted with an intense, even discordant facial expression. The intentional simplicity and earthiness of the features are hallmarks of the type. The base appears to have been modified during the Roman period as it is inscribed in the Latin Alphabet with the letters LR. Stone carved heads such as this piece are found throughout the areas of Europe once inhabited by the Celts, they are particularly prevalent in Britain and Ireland. The head was sacred to the Celts, who believed (as many did throughout antiquity) that it housed the soul. They appear to have had huge significance in Celtic polytheistic practices, it is thought that there may even have been a cult of the human head, possibly revolving around headhunting. Certainly it is clear that the pre-Christian Celts placed an almost totemic value on severed heads. The Roman historian Diodoros Sikulos emphasised their value within Celtic warrior society, asserting that a Celt would not sell the embalmed head of his enemy for any price, claiming that he has no need of gold when he had such an obvious emblem of his courage and skill as a warrior. The heads were kept, carefully preserved in chests, and were removed to be put on display for guests in the warrior’s home. This reverence for the enemy’s severed head is much more than the mere tribal barbarism the Romans took it to be, it was obviously a ritual of both cultic and social significance. There are a multitude of theories on what stone heads such as this piece are meant to represent, though one leading theory is that they depict dieties from the Celtic Pantheon. Indeed, studies have found that these carvings are often found in the vicinity of ancient religious centres and monuments. Such places formed the centre for local communities celebrating important festivals, usually relating to the seasonal equinoxes. One such festival was samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year. It was the time when cattle were brought back down from the summer pastures, livestock were slaughtered for the winter and bonfires were lit across the hills. The human head was also important in this festival, as the skulls of ancestors were brought in order to feast with the living. The use of modern day pumpkin lanterns during Halloween is a continuation of this ancient tradition. Whatever the true function of this remarkable piece, it is clear that it would have played a clear role in the religious life of ancient Celtic society. It is both a powerful piece of Iron Age art and a vestige of ancient ritualistic customs. Provenance: From the collection of Ms. K. D. (name provided to the new owner). According to a letter from the previous owner, this piece was found in a garden in Somerset, England in 1910. The previous owner reportedly showed the piece to Miranda Aldhouse Green. Copies of aforementioned letter will be provided to the new owner.

Dimensions:
Height: 13 in (33.02 cm)
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
18th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
1st century BC to 1st century AD.
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU105221264226

More From This Seller

View All

Roman Marble Head of a Satyr

Located in London, GB

Head of a Satyr Roman, circa 2nd - 3rd century AD Carved and highly polished marble An extremely fine marble head of a satyr, depicted with ivy wreath, curly hair and pointed goat’s ear, the full lips slightly parted to reveal the creature’s clenched teeth. The head was once part of a relief with visible fragmentation on the left side. Almost completely worked in the round and carefully polished, the skill of the sculptor is particularly remarkable given the confined working space available for a relief carving, such as this. The Roman Imperial Period marked the expansion of the political and cultural influence of the Roman Empire. The period began with the reign of Augustus in 27 BC, immediately following Caesar’s assassination which ultimately ended Rome’s time as a republic. Soon after, Augustus’ defeat of Anthony and...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Busts

Materials

Marble

Roman Marble Head of a Satyr

$59,000

Free Shipping

Ancient Gallo Roman Millstone

Located in London, GB

Gallo-Roman Quernstone Fécamp, Seine-Maritime, France Circa 2nd century BC - mid-4th century AD Carved puddingstone Diameter: 43 cm The lower grinding stone from a late Iron Age, ea...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier French Mounted Objects

Materials

Stone

Ancient Gallo Roman Millstone

$34,260

Free Shipping

Ancient South Arabian Alabaster Statue

Located in London, GB

South Arabian Calcite female figure 3rd Century BC to 1st century A.D. Calcite Alabaster height: 30.5 cm A magnificent alabaster female figure, a f...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Yemeni Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Alabaster

Ancient South Arabian Alabaster Statue

$120,000

Free Shipping

Ancient Roman Turquoise Glass Cup

Located in London, GB

Turquoise glass cup Roman Empire, circa 3rd-4th century A.D. With old label reading ‘’965’’. “Pliny relates that the art of glass-making [.] was actua...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Glass

Materials

Glass

Ancient Roman Turquoise Glass Cup

$10,000

Free Shipping

Ancient Egyptian Monumental Temple Sphinxes

Located in London, GB

A pair of monumental limestone sphinxes of Pharaoh Nectanebo I, from the processional avenue of the Serapeum of Memphis, 30th Dynasty, circa 379 - 360 BC. The sphinxes of the Serapeum have captivated travellers since Roman times. However, despite their significance, they are conspicuously absent from the collections of most major museums. Indeed, their existence in private hands is so improbable, and their imitations so numerous, that the present sphinxes were assumed to be modern copies throughout their recent ownership history. Finally recognised and conserved after an extraordinary chance discovery at a garden furniture sale...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Egyptian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Ancient Egyptian Monumental Temple Sphinxes

$875,000

Late Bronze Age Sword

Located in London, GB

Saint Nazaire Sword, Late Bronze Age, circa 800-900 B.C. An exceptionally well preserved Bronze Age sword, with elegant, finely incised decorations,...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier French Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Late Bronze Age Sword

$75,000

Free Shipping

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Ecuadorean Antiquities

Materials

Clay

Ecuadorian Carved Skull Shaped Whistle

$794 Sale Price

55% Off

Small Ecuadorian Moulded Clay Figure on Stand

Located in London, GB

This rare and wonderful example of a formative stage figure from the woodland period is attached to a small wire and wood stand, and is in extraordinarily very good condition for its...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Ecuadorean Antiquities

Materials

Clay

Small Ecuadorian Moulded Clay Figure on Stand

$1,233 Sale Price

50% Off

18th Century Swedish Decorated Mangle Board

Located in Kramfors, SE

Folk art mangle board from northern Sweden. This is a typical proposal gift to the would-be bride from the groom. If he had the skill the groom would make...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Folk Art Antiquities

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish Decorated Mangle Board

$1,497

A Celtic Stone Head with ‘Staring’ Eyes, Long Nose and Slit Mouth

Located in London, GB

A Celtic Stone Head with ‘Staring’ Eyes, Long Nose and Slit Mouth Limestone British 2nd Century BC - 1st Century AD Size: 26cm high, 13cm wide, 16cm ...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier British Antiquities

Materials

Limestone

A Celtic Stone Head with ‘Staring’ Eyes, Long Nose and Slit Mouth

$10,500

Ancient Greek Terracotta Antefix in Form of the Head of Artemis Bendis, Taranto

Located in Antwerp, BE

Ancient Greek mould-made terracotta antefix decorated with the female head of the Goddess Artemis Bendis. Western Greek, Italy, Taranto, early 4th century BC. Two small feathered win...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Greek Antiquities

Materials

Ceramic

Ancient Greek Terracotta Antefix in Form of the Head of Artemis Bendis, Taranto

$5,751

Spanish 'Hachero' Traditional Ancient Wrought Iron Candleholder, circa 1930

Located in Barcelona, ES

Spanish 'Hachero' traditional ancient wrought iron candleholder. By unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1930. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and us...

Category