Head of a Woman

myminifactory

The human head was revered by the Celts as a powerful symbol of divine and otherworldly authority. While this reverence was not exclusive to them, it was deeply ingrained among Celtic peoples. They showcased their reverence through art, worshiped it in rituals, and treated it with supernatural respect. The ancient writers Diodorus and Strabo both documented the Celtic practice of preserving the heads of esteemed enemies in cedar oil. These preserved heads were then stored in a chest and displayed to outsiders as badges of military honor. Their owners cherished them so highly that they refused to part with them even for an immense fortune, valuing them far more than gold. The motif of the severed head recurs throughout the entire scope of Celtic cult practices, spanning both time and geography. It can be seen in various forms - visual and literary - from the early stages to the latter part of their cultural heritage. This remarkable relic is a part of the Masterpiece Antiquities Sale, scheduled for July 6th, 2017 at 2 Old Brompton Road in London.