A marble bust of a child, Levantine, Hellenistic period, 323-58 BC
With sensitively carved details, the hair is arranged in a series of locks that fall to the frame the front of the head, the face is plump and has lentoid shaped eyes, small, wide nose, and a downturned mouth. To the right-hand side of the neck are fragments of a tunic indicating that the bust came from a full length statue.
12cm high

The collection of Dr and Mrs Rowland Campion, thence by descent to the vendor.

Exhib. The Australian Institute of Archaeology, 1972

From the Iron Age through to the Roman period it was common for the wealthy elite to dedicate statues of their children at important shrines in Cyprus, such as Apollo Hylates, Kourion, Lefkonico, Golgoi, Idalion, Voni and Chytroi; because of the frequency that they are found at religious sites they are known as 'temple boys'. Their religious significance is evident from the amulets on their necklaces which are strung across the body. Although there have been different interpretations of their use, the most widely accepted view now is that the statues were offered to mark the passage of young infants into childhood.

For a similar example see: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession no. 74.51.2752