This ivory portrait head could depict a man or a woman but the latter is usually assumed. The head is sculpted in the round so that the oval shape of the face is realistically curved. The hair is not indicated but an incised line marks the top of the forehead framing the face. Eye brows are carefully drawn above exceptionally detailed eyes; the nose and mouth are accurately proportioned. There are no ears but these might be covered by the hair.

Dolní Vestonice, Moravia, Czech Republic.

Brno Museum, Czech Republic.

Culture taking its name from the La Gravette site, Dordogne, France, and lasted from about 28,000 years ago until 22,000 years ago. Original elements in Gravettian cave art include the use of hand stencils, and the type of female statuette widely but incorrectly known as 'Venus' first appear in the portable art of this period.

Source: Dr Jean Clottes

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