Getty Museum

Head Fragment from a Double-Headed Herm

Date

4th century B.C.

Medium

Limestone

Culture

Greek

Department

Sculpture

Institution

Getty Museum

A bearded male head, probably broken off from a small double-headed herm stele, appears to have horns on the sides at the temples. The hair has a central part with ridges on either side. The nose, upper lip, and central part of the face are flat giving the impression of a smashed in face. There is a prominent brow over narrow eyes with rimmed lids. The nose is a rectangular, angular form. The mouth has a prominent lower lip. A long mustache flows into a full beard. The front of the figure is fully carved; the sides are cursorily modeled; the back not at all. 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.

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