Important Stone Head Of An Emperor. Northern France, 12th - 13th Century.

An important stone head of a classical emperor.

Northern France, late 12th - early 13th century.

The head measures 32 x 20 x 20cm and 35cm high including its metal display stand.

The stone head represents a Roman emperor wearing a laurel crown. The emperor with large almond shaped eyes, asymmetrically curly beard and wavy moustache, partially covering the corners of the mouth. The head stylistically draws parallels with stone heads of Kings found in northern France dating to the middle of the 12th until the early 13th century, for comparable examples see:

Head of a King of Judah, Paris, France circa 1220-1230.
Musée Cluny - National du Moyen Âge, Paris, Inventory no.: Cl. 22988.

Head of a King, Possibly Amiens, France, circa 1180.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Accession Number: 29.100.28.

Crowned man’s head, France Île-de-France, circa 1150 / 1175.
Musée du Louvre, Numéro principal : RF 519.

Crowned man’s head, France Île-de-France, circa 1150 / 1175.
Musée du Louvre, Numéro principal : RF 553.