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A Roman limestone funerary stele, Circa 2nd Century A.D.

Conservation:  Damaged corners; lack of material in some areas due to porosity of stone; eroded nose; damaged corners; lack of material in some areas due to porosity of stone; eroded nose.
Material:  Limestone
Dimensions:  60 x 45 x 15 cm
Provenance:  Roy Hofheinz (1912-1982) Collection, Texas USA, acquired in the 1970s / Bonhams London, Auction, 2014
Exhibited:  Feriarte, IFEMA (Madrid, 16-24 November 2019)
Published:  Antiquities, London, Bonhams, October 2nd, 2008.

Price:

6700€
Ref bhm129 Category Tag

Roman funerary steles are characterized by a vertical slab, usually in stone or marble, of rectangular shape. These steles were used as a sign of burial and a monument to the memory of the deceased, which is why they are decorated with inscriptions and sculptural decoration.
This stele has a niche sculpted as a frame in which is the representation of the deceased dressed according to Roman fashion with his shawl. The stele is accompanied by an inscription in Greek.
The portrait of the deceased shows great detail in the representation. Both for the material used and for the representation carried out, this stele must have belonged to a high-ranking character with a good purchasing power.

 

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