Large Female Face

Object/Artifact

-

Randolph College (Museum)

Name/Title

Large Female Face

Entry/Object ID

RC.AC.06.01

Tags

Terracotta

Description

Large female face fragment of a terracotta figurine. Depicted is a terracotta votive head, likely representing a deity or worshiper from an ancient Mediterranean culture, possibly Greek or Roman. It features a stylized face with a serene expression and a halo-like feature around the head, characteristic of religious figurines from antiquity. Such artifacts are common in archaeological contexts as offerings at temples or sanctuaries. Her hair frames the upper face in a distinct series of symmetrical waves, braids, or coils, which are encircled by a wide, heavy arched nimbus (molding) that originally formed part of the structure they were perhaps attached to. The object is hollow mold-made.

Use

Ornamental Architectural

Context

Part of the Lipscomb collection of teaching objects.

Collection

Randolph College's Ancient Collections

Category

Terracotta Architectural; Religious
Randolph College Ancient Collections

Acquisition

Source (if not Accessioned)

Dr. Herbert Lispcomb

Notes

Objects donated to Randolph Macon Woman's College after the retirement of Dr. Herbert Lipscomb in 1955. These objects were purchased and collected by Lipscomb during his tenure as Professor of Latin for the college.

Made/Created

Artist

Unknown

Time Period

Ancient

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Figure, Religious

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Symbol, Religious

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Religious Objects

Nomenclature Class

Ceremonial Objects

Nomenclature Category

Category 08: Communication Objects

Dimensions

Height

17.3 cm

Width

17 cm

Material

Terracotta

Condition

Reason for Exam

Inventory

Overall Condition

Fair

Condition Type

Fragmentary

Date Examined

Aug 4, 2026

Examined By

Emilie Bryant

Cleanliness

Uncleaned / In situ patina. Contains surface grime, particulate matter, and ingrained soil deposits consistent with long-term burial or uncleaned excavation context.

Surface

Moderate to heavy surface weathering and abrasion across high-relief features (notably the nose, lips, brow, and forehead). Significant soil/mineral accretions and dirt deposits are present within the deep recesses of the molded hair coils and surrounding arched molding (nimbus). Traces of original pigment or slip are obscured or lost.

Structure

Fragmentary state; incomplete. The lower jaw, chin, and neck sections are broken away along an irregular fracture edge. A visible break/join line runs across the lower proper-right cheek/jaw area, indicating prior fracture repair or stabilizing fill. The remaining fabric of the hollow mold-made body appears structurally stable.

Parts

Missing lower structural elements (neck/pedestal/base attachment) and portions of the lower framing molding.

Notes

Small white adhesive object label (6-1) affixed directly to the lower proper-right front base area. High-relief features show softening due to mechanical wear and historical handling.

Recommendations

Handling: Support fully from beneath using clean nitrile or cotton gloves; avoid lifting by the fragile outer edges of the arched molding.Storage/Display: Store in a microclimate with stable relative humidity ($40\% - 50\% \text{ RH}$) and ambient temperature. Place on custom padded polyethylene foam (Ethafoam) ring or mount to prevent pressure on the lower broken edge.

Provenance

Provenance Detail

Donated by Dr. Herbert Lipscomb

Acquisition Method

Found

Created By

[email protected]

Create Date

August 4, 2026