Marble Head of a Goddess at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

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In ancient times, sculptors often crafted heads as standalone pieces, meant to be attached to statues at a later stage. A protruding tenon was carefully created on the head's underside, allowing it to be securely fastened into a custom-made cavity within the statue itself. This joint was cleverly concealed by a flowing line of fabric, adding an extra layer of realism to the overall piece. Given its enormous size, this exquisitely carved bust must depict a goddess. Young women like Persephone, who served as both daughter to Demeter and wife to Hades, ruler of the underworld, were frequently depicted with their hair styled in thick, loose coils that framed their faces, pulled back towards the crown and tied together in a neat knot. Such a knot would likely have been secured using three large holes drilled into the back of this bust.