A small, powerful portrait carved from a single block of slate. The face seems excavated from the stone, brought forward just far enough to meet our gaze while the surrounding block retains its rough edges, layered texture and irregular outline. The material remains very much part of the subject.
A broad forehead, heavily outlined almond-shaped eyes and a firmly closed mouth give the sitter an absorbed, slightly withholding expression. There is a suggestion of weariness around the eyes, tempered by the resolve of the chin. Whoever this person was, they appear unlikely to have enjoyed being asked to smile.
The carving has a direct, naïve quality, with small asymmetries that make the face feel individual. Smoother cheeks and forehead catch the light against the fractured stone around the head and neck. Fine tool marks remain visible, tracing the work of finding a human presence within a stubbornly geological object.
That meeting of resolved face and rough block recalls the non finito associated with Michelangelo and Rodin: the figure emerging while its material origins remain apparent. The compact mass and simplified features also bring to mind the directness of early modernist stone portraits by Henri Gaudier-Brzeska. These are points of comparison rather than an attribution; the sculptor and date are unknown.
The integral block beneath the head forms its base, giving the piece a grounded, almost fragmentary appearance. At 18.5 cm high, it is a weighty little sculpture with a presence well beyond its dimensions—particularly good on a shelf or table where changing light can pick out the face.
Condition
Surface scratches, abrasions and small chips, with rough and fractured areas around the head and base. Pale mineral markings and variations in the slate’s surface are visible throughout. Some irregularities belong to the stone and carving process; others reflect handling and wear. Remnants of a blue felt covering to the underside. Please refer to the detail photographs.
Dimensions
Height: 18.5 cm
Width: 11.5 cm
Depth: 7.5 cm
Delivery
Qualifies as a small item. UK delivery via insured courier/FedEx at checkout; international shipping available—ask for a quote.
