2nd century BC. A slightly larger than life-size marble statue head of a nymph, nereid or goddess (Aura), the head is slightly turned towards the right and is supported by a robust neck; the facial features are delicate with dignified expression; the cheeks broad and solid, jaw and chin appear quite square but are softened by the presence of depressions around the mouth, heavy eyelids enclose narrow, elongated eyes; the curly hair combed backwards to a small bun, a laurel wreath resting on the curls; mounted on a custom-made stand. See Scrinari, V.S.M., Sculture Romane di Aquileia, Roma,1972; similar portraits can be found in Aquileia (Scrinari, 1972, cat. 135, p.48); Charbonneaux J., Martin R., Villard F., Hellenistic Art, 330-50 BC, London, 1973; Petrakos, B., National Museum, sculpture-bronze-vases, Athens, 1991; La Rocca, E., Parisi Presicce C., Lo Monaco A., I giorni di Roma l’eta’ della conquista, Milano, 2010; some similarities with the head of Muse from the Temple of Apollo Sosianus, Rome (La Rocca, Parisi Presicce, Lo Monaco, 2010, cat.I.21"). 7.3 kg, 31.5cm including stand (12 1/2"). Previously in the private collection of Leon Rodriguez-Ely (1924-1973), Marseille, France; acquired in the 1950's; imported with French cultural passport number 163436; accompanied by a copy of Art Loss Register certificate number S00146517 and by an archaeological report by Dr. Raffaele D'Amato; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10122-167567. The beautiful portrait represents an idealised type, executed with great refinement on smooth and compact flat surfaces contrasting with strongly coloured and chiaroscuro elements. Style and taste are typical of Alexandrian Hellenism; the piece could be an export brought into the Roman world, at the time of the conquest of the Mediterranean. The reference to the Alexandrian types helps to identify the represented subject as probably a muse or nereid, if not the Goddess Aura.