Ancient Terracotta Head of a Faun | Late Hellenistic–Early Roman | 1st Century BCE – 1st Century CE

Provenance & Ownership History
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Formerly held in a private collection in Columbia, Maryland, USA. Subsequently handled by Montgomery Auction in 2024, a Columbia-based auction house serving the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and specializing in fine art, antiques, and estate collections.

Private Toronto, ON Canada collection. 

The piece was later examined by Luca Salvaggio, an Italian archaeologist and specialist in ancient Mediterranean material. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the Italian Archaeological School at Athens (IASA) and is accredited for preventive archaeology by the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC). Salvaggio identified the fragment as a terracotta head of a faun dating to the Late Hellenistic to Early Roman period, circa 1st century BCE–1st century CE, based on its rounded skull, almond-shaped eyes, prominent ear, swept-groove hair, and surviving traces of white slip and reddish-brown pigment. 



$400.00
$400.00
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This is a one-of-a-kind historical object. Once sold, this exact piece will not be restocked.
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Close-up of weathered terracotta head showing mineral deposits and serene features
Video of an ancient terracotta head fragment on a wooden base, showing youthful facial features, sculpted hair, and a weathered surface.
Ancient Hellenistic Roman terracotta youth head fragment with stylized curls
Ancient terracotta head displaying rounded cheeks, defined brows, and a prominent ear above a square wooden display base.
Terracotta head fragment highlighting a projecting nose, rounded chin, and modeled ear, supported on a wooden mount.
Ancient terracotta head with a rounded crown, weathered surface, and uneven neck edge above a brown wooden display base.
Rear view of ancient terracotta head fragment on wooden pedestal
Ancient terracotta head displaying mottled surface wear and an irregular neck fragment secured above a square wooden base.
Terracotta head fragment with a brown patch at the ear, a defined jawline, and pale weathering across the cheek and neck.
Ancient terracotta head with a youthful expression, gently curved lips, and worn facial contours, displayed on a wooden base.
Terracotta head fragment highlighting swept hair grooves and pale surface wear across the rounded crown and forehead.
Ancient terracotta head showing sculpted hair, recessed eyes, and a small mouth above its warm brown wooden display mount.
  • Close-up of weathered terracotta head showing mineral deposits and serene features
  • Video of an ancient terracotta head fragment on a wooden base, showing youthful facial features, sculpted hair, and a weathered surface.
  • Ancient Hellenistic Roman terracotta youth head fragment with stylized curls
  • Ancient terracotta head displaying rounded cheeks, defined brows, and a prominent ear above a square wooden display base.
  • Terracotta head fragment highlighting a projecting nose, rounded chin, and modeled ear, supported on a wooden mount.
  • Ancient terracotta head with a rounded crown, weathered surface, and uneven neck edge above a brown wooden display base.
  • Rear view of ancient terracotta head fragment on wooden pedestal
  • Ancient terracotta head displaying mottled surface wear and an irregular neck fragment secured above a square wooden base.
  • Terracotta head fragment with a brown patch at the ear, a defined jawline, and pale weathering across the cheek and neck.
  • Ancient terracotta head with a youthful expression, gently curved lips, and worn facial contours, displayed on a wooden base.
  • Terracotta head fragment highlighting swept hair grooves and pale surface wear across the rounded crown and forehead.
  • Ancient terracotta head showing sculpted hair, recessed eyes, and a small mouth above its warm brown wooden display mount.
Close-up of weathered terracotta head showing mineral deposits and serene features
Video of an ancient terracotta head fragment on a wooden base, showing youthful facial features, sculpted hair, and a weathered surface.
Ancient Hellenistic Roman terracotta youth head fragment with stylized curls
Ancient terracotta head displaying rounded cheeks, defined brows, and a prominent ear above a square wooden display base.
Terracotta head fragment highlighting a projecting nose, rounded chin, and modeled ear, supported on a wooden mount.
Ancient terracotta head with a rounded crown, weathered surface, and uneven neck edge above a brown wooden display base.
Rear view of ancient terracotta head fragment on wooden pedestal
Ancient terracotta head displaying mottled surface wear and an irregular neck fragment secured above a square wooden base.
Terracotta head fragment with a brown patch at the ear, a defined jawline, and pale weathering across the cheek and neck.
Ancient terracotta head with a youthful expression, gently curved lips, and worn facial contours, displayed on a wooden base.
Terracotta head fragment highlighting swept hair grooves and pale surface wear across the rounded crown and forehead.
Ancient terracotta head showing sculpted hair, recessed eyes, and a small mouth above its warm brown wooden display mount.
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Ancient Terracotta Head of a Faun | Late Hellenistic–Early Roman | 1st Century BCE – 1st Century CE

Description
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Historical Context & Origin

Region: Greco-Roman Mediterranean World
Material: Terracotta with traces of white slip and reddish-brown pigment
Period: Late Hellenistic to Early Roman Period, 1st Century BCE–1st Century CE

Description

This ancient terracotta fragment represents the head of a faun, dating to the Late Hellenistic to Early Roman period, approximately the 1st century BCE–1st century CE.

The small head has a rounded skull, almond-shaped eyes, short nose, small mouth, and a subtle smile. A prominent ear survives on the right side, contributing to the figure's identification as a faun. The hair is rendered with distinctive swept incised grooves, giving definition and movement to the otherwise softly modelled form.

Traces of the original white slip and reddish-brown pigment remain visible across portions of the surface, providing evidence of the figure's original painted appearance. Mineral deposits and age-related wear are present throughout.

The head is broken irregularly at the neck, indicating that it originally belonged to a larger terracotta figure.

Features

  • Rounded skull and softly modelled face
  • Almond-shaped eyes
  • Short nose and subtly smiling mouth
  • Prominent surviving ear
  • Hair detailed with swept grooves
  • Traces of ancient white slip
  • Surviving reddish-brown pigment
  • Archaeological mineral deposits
  • Mounted on a modern display stand

Cultural Significance

Fauns and related woodland figures belonged to the broader world of Greco-Roman mythology and were commonly associated with nature, pastoral settings, music, revelry, and the followers of Dionysus or Bacchus.

Terracotta provided an accessible medium for producing mythological and decorative figures throughout the Hellenistic and Roman worlds. The expressive features, prominent ear, and stylized hair of this fragment support its identification as a faun rather than simply an idealized youthful male.

Condition

Ancient fragmentary condition with an irregular break at the neck. Surface wear, mineral deposits, abrasions, and age-related softening of the modelling are present throughout. Traces of white slip and reddish-brown pigment survive in places. The principal facial features remain clearly recognizable.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 1.7 in
Width: 1.2 in

Age (Approximate)

1,900–2,100 years old

Provenance 

Formerly held in a private collection in Columbia, Maryland, USA. Subsequently handled by Montgomery Auction in 2024, a Columbia-based auction house serving the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and specializing in fine art, antiques, and estate collections.

Private Toronto, ON Canada collection.

The piece was later examined by Luca Salvaggio, an Italian archaeologist and specialist in ancient Mediterranean material. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the Italian Archaeological School at Athens (IASA) and is accredited for preventive archaeology by the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC). Salvaggio identified the fragment as a terracotta head of a faun dating to the Late Hellenistic to Early Roman period, circa 1st century BCE–1st century CE, based on its rounded skull, almond-shaped eyes, prominent ear, swept-groove hair, and surviving traces of white slip and reddish-brown pigment.

Learn More

Explore the World of Greco-Roman Pottery

Browse our Collection of Greek and Roman Artifacts and Antiquities

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Greco-Roman Mediterranean World
Material: Terracotta with traces of white slip and reddish-brown pigment
Period: Late Hellenistic to Early Roman Period, 1st Century BCE–1st Century CE

Description

This ancient terracotta fragment represents the head of a faun, dating to the Late Hellenistic to Early Roman period, approximately the 1st century BCE–1st century CE.

The small head has a rounded skull, almond-shaped eyes, short nose, small mouth, and a subtle smile. A prominent ear survives on the right side, contributing to the figure's identification as a faun. The hair is rendered with distinctive swept incised grooves, giving definition and movement to the otherwise softly modelled form.

Traces of the original white slip and reddish-brown pigment remain visible across portions of the surface, providing evidence of the figure's original painted appearance. Mineral deposits and age-related wear are present throughout.

The head is broken irregularly at the neck, indicating that it originally belonged to a larger terracotta figure.

Features

  • Rounded skull and softly modelled face
  • Almond-shaped eyes
  • Short nose and subtly smiling mouth
  • Prominent surviving ear
  • Hair detailed with swept grooves
  • Traces of ancient white slip
  • Surviving reddish-brown pigment
  • Archaeological mineral deposits
  • Mounted on a modern display stand

Cultural Significance

Fauns and related woodland figures belonged to the broader world of Greco-Roman mythology and were commonly associated with nature, pastoral settings, music, revelry, and the followers of Dionysus or Bacchus.

Terracotta provided an accessible medium for producing mythological and decorative figures throughout the Hellenistic and Roman worlds. The expressive features, prominent ear, and stylized hair of this fragment support its identification as a faun rather than simply an idealized youthful male.

Condition

Ancient fragmentary condition with an irregular break at the neck. Surface wear, mineral deposits, abrasions, and age-related softening of the modelling are present throughout. Traces of white slip and reddish-brown pigment survive in places. The principal facial features remain clearly recognizable.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 1.7 in
Width: 1.2 in

Age (Approximate)

1,900–2,100 years old

Provenance 

Formerly held in a private collection in Columbia, Maryland, USA. Subsequently handled by Montgomery Auction in 2024, a Columbia-based auction house serving the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and specializing in fine art, antiques, and estate collections.

Private Toronto, ON Canada collection.

The piece was later examined by Luca Salvaggio, an Italian archaeologist and specialist in ancient Mediterranean material. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the Italian Archaeological School at Athens (IASA) and is accredited for preventive archaeology by the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC). Salvaggio identified the fragment as a terracotta head of a faun dating to the Late Hellenistic to Early Roman period, circa 1st century BCE–1st century CE, based on its rounded skull, almond-shaped eyes, prominent ear, swept-groove hair, and surviving traces of white slip and reddish-brown pigment.

Learn More

Explore the World of Greco-Roman Pottery

Browse our Collection of Greek and Roman Artifacts and Antiquities

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