The object of the day: The head of the young boy

Head of the Young Boy, Ancient Rome
Date:225 c - 250 c

This marble head was collected in Rome c. 1776 by the Hon. J Smith Barry and taken to Marbury Hall in Cheshire. It was placed on top of a male body representing a Bacchic figure or a personification of the vintage, which is now also in Birmingham's collections. The head is certainly Roman but there is disagreement about it's exact date, from c.150 AD to c.250 AD. It is likely to be a portrait of a specific individual, but whether it represents an imperial prince or a member of a wealthy family is unknown.

Height:21.5 cm

Purchased at Sotheby's, 1961 by Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery

The object of the day: Peruvian ancient doll

Chancay people doll, Peru
Date: AD 1000 - AD 1400
Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery

This doll is made of sticks and spindles with pink wool wound around them. Her tunic is made of wool and cotton. Her face was woven separately on a miniature loom and her hair is alpaca wool with natural hair twisted into it. Most dolls like this have been found in graves so they were probably intended to serve the dead rather than being toys.

Height:	34 cm
Width:	22 cm
Depth:	6 cm