Head of Empress Tranquillina

Head of the empress Tranquillina, married to Gordian III in AD 241, wife of Gordian III (238-244). She died just three years later, while still very young. She was the young daughter of the Praetorian Prefect Timesitheus by an unknown wife. In 241 AD her father was appointed the head of the Praetorian Guard by the Roman Emperor Gordian III. The head is fitted to a different bust and socle. The woman looks down and the head has a slight turn to her right, thre are several cracks around her neck and there is a restoration on the nose. Her hair is parted in the middle and arranged in a melon coiffure, braided into multiple strands, and coiled into a broad plait fastened on the back of the head, her face is oval with slightly parted lips and heavy-lidded eyes with irises and drilled crescentic pupils. Sold by F. G. Powell to Nelson for £35, along with 53.115.14.