The 'isolated head' is perhaps the most widespread motif in South Italian vase-painting. The heads are most often females with tied hair and various jewels, crowns, and other adornments. These women rarely have distinguishing attributes which makes identification extremely difficult for modern viewers. However, the widespread use of the motif suggests that they communicated an important message to ancient viewers who were likely familiar with its meaning. Although their exact meaning may never be known, the heads often appear on funerary vessels, suggesting a connection with death. In the MET Museum Journal, Kelly Heuer suggests that they can be best understood as personifications of ideas associated with the afterlife (i.e., immorality, rebirth, etc.). The head which springs from a flower, as seen above, represents the regenerative power of nature; through death comes new life. From left to right: Apulian Red-Figure Chous Apulia, Magna Graecia, South Eastern Italy. Ca. 350 - 300 BC. Height: 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm). Apulian Red-Figure Mug Apulia, South Italy, Magna Graecia Ca. 350 - 300 BC. Height: 4 in. (10.1 cm). Intact. Campanian Red-Figure Skyphos Campania, Magna Graecia, Southern Italy. Ca. 350 - 300 BC. Height: 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm). Intact. Campanian Red-Figure Squat Lekythos South Italy, Magna Graecia. Ca. 3rd - 4th century BC. Height: 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm). #art #ancient #ancientart #roman #greek #greekart #greekpottery #pottery #vase #academia #archeology #classics #latin #greek #artist