This lugubrious head is believed to represent the prophet Elijah, and as such is an extremely important and rare work. Elijah lived during the 9th century BC, and appears in the Old and New Testament, the Ku’ran, the Mishnah and the Talmud. Famed with the ability to raise the dead, bring down fire from the heavens and to ascend there on a whirlwind, he is also believed to be reincarnated in the form of Jesus and John the Baptist. Such was his importance that many Jews still await his return, which will presage the return of the Messiah. Despite his obvious importance to various faiths, however, comparatively little is known about him. Equally, he is rarely represented in artworks, other than in heavily religious paintings of the Renaissance. Sculpturally there are few representations worldwide, and those that exist are usually from the past 100 years or so. This piece is therefore something of a rarity.

Antiquities
Ancient Roman