Late 19th Symbolist Stone Head Sculpture w/ Moss Patina - 15"

This Symbolist stone head sculpture, likely Central European and dating to the late 19th century, is carved in pale grey stone with an integral rectangular plinth. The youthful face is serene and introspective, yet a single carved tear trails from one eye, suggesting pathos beneath the calm expression. The head is wrapped in a braided scarf encircling the crown, while abundant hair cascades in scrolling, whiplash curls that recall both Art Nouveau stylization and mythic references to Medusa. The surface bears an exquisite patina of moss and lichen that has settled into the recesses, enhancing its timeworn poetry. A discreet trace of a signature appears along one side. It remains in weathered condition with scattered edge nicks and minor losses from outdoor exposure, though without visible cracks.

This meditative visage reflects the late 19th-century fascination with allegory and interior states, hallmarks of Symbolism that shaped the emerging vocabularies of Art Nouveau and Jugendstil across Europe. Sculpted heads of this type often appeared as architectural mascarons, keystones, or as independent garden ornaments. The stylized locks, sinuous contours, and tear-marked eye capture both the elegance of the era’s flowing line and the psychological intensity prized by Symbolist artists.

As a decorative accent, the piece lends quiet gravitas and poetic resonance. It may be placed on an entry console or library mantel, or styled among terracotta urns and antique planters in a garden room. Set on a low plinth, natural light dances across the curls and headscarf, while the mossy surface lends depth and authenticity, softening contemporary interiors with a quiet poetry that evokes myth, nature, and introspection