The anthropomorphic head has a roughly rectangular shape and strongly stylised facial features. The round eyes are framed by thick lids. The elongated, broad nose has a non-specific shape. The mouth is indicated by a vertical incision. The head was reportedly found at Wroxeter, Shropshire (near the Roman city of Viroconium, the administrative centre of the Celtic tribe of the Cornovii). For the Celts, the head was regarded as the seat of the soul. Accordingly, it assumes a dominant role in Celtic art. The cult of the severed head, impressively documented by archaeological finds from Entremont (pillar with têtes coupées cut in stone and the so-called five têtes coupées) and Roquepertuse (portico pillar with recesses for human skulls), attests to the importance of the head in religious practice. Slightly worn.
PROVENANCE
Formerly priv. English collection; acquired from Chris Russ Antiquities, prior 1998 (see List 32). With Finch&Co private collection. Thereafter, priv. coll. J. P. Keane. WIth French market since 2025. Said to have been found near Wroxeter Shropshire, once the Roman Town of Viroconium, the Territoy of the Celtic Cornovii.
NOTE
On the ritual background and the phenomenon of Celtic stone heads see (with numerous illustrations): R. Wace – K. Schubert (eds.) Celtic Stone Sculptures (London 1989) as well as B. Cunliffe, The Celts and Their History (Bergisch Gladbach 2000) 82–87.