Head from a Double-Headed Herm

4th century B.C.

Medium

Limestone

Dimensions

5.8 × 4.3 cm

Status

In Museum Collection

Collect24 Art ID

C24-227619

A mask-like face sits atop a columnar neck, probably broken off from a small anthropomorphic herm stele. The face is ovoid with linear features. The mouth is an incised horizontal line and the brows are slanted, giving the face a sad expression. The eyes are triangular and raised. The eyebrows are raised ridges beneath incised lines. The nose is a raised ridge. This statue is one of six figures in the Getty's collection (see 78.AA.398, 74.AA.44, 81.AA.135, 81.AA.136, 81.AA.137, 81.AA.138) that are thought to have come from the sanctuary of Zeus Meilichios in the shrine of Demeter Malophoros at Selinus, Sicily. The objects are all carved of local limestone in a unique manner, probably a production of local craftsmen, but influenced by Greek styles of the fourth century B.C. These figures may have been dedications or cult images. Zeus was worshipped as Meilichios at many sanctuaries throughout the Greek world. This version of Zeus was a subterranean deity invoked as mild. His cult was supported by families and individuals rather than cities and states. Rituals for Zeus Meilichios were related to purification as well as to the protection of individual families and ancestry.