An East Greek marble funerary stele

CIRCA 2ND-1ST CENTURY B.C.

Details

An East Greek marble funerary stele
Circa 2nd-1st Century B.C.
Of rectangular form slightly tapering to a pediment decorated with a disc and acroteria, the main scene carved as a sunken relief panel showing a funerary banquet, with two draped figures reclining on a couch each with their left elbows supported on a cushion and holding a vessel in their left hands, before the couch stands a round table, with tripod legs terminating in hooved feet, laden with funeral cakes, to the left sits a mourning woman with her feet resting on a stool and wearing a chiton and himation, a servant girl and boy flank the scene, the boy on the right standing in front of a situla, remains of a three line Greek 'farewell' inscription below, repaired, mounted
17½ in. (44.5 cm.) high

Lot Essay

Cf. Comstock and Vermeule, op. cit., p. 173, no. 277; and L. Budde and R. Nicholls, A Catalogue of the Greek and Roman Sculpture, The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, 1964, pp. 37-8, nos. 63-4, pl. 20 and pp. 83-4, no. 135, pl. 44 for grave stelae including a similar stele with a joint dedication.

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