Beautiful Antique Italian marble head probably representing an Angel. Carved in a variegated red and orange yellow marble, most likely a variety of Verona marble. Dating from the end of the 15th Century to the beginning of the 17th Century. Approximately 8 inches high X 6 inches across the base. Very heavy.

The head is carved with flowing locks held in a headband. There is a lead plug to the top of the head holding the remains of a bronze pin which possibly once supported a metal halo or nimbus. There is also drilled hole at the back of the headband probably for taking a metal fixing . There is some weathering to the softer veins in the marble but it is a lovely warm marble. A short section of the drape at the base seems to have been professionally repaired at some point. Hard to date accurately but the treatment of the flowing hair held a headband closely resembles that of Archangel Gabriel in numerous late 15th Century Italian paintings. In my personal collection for over 20 years.