Romano-Egyptian, Late Imperial to Coptic Period, possibly Antinoe, ca. 4th century CE. A magnificent limestone funerary stela of a boy seated in a niche grasping a dove in his left hand and a bunch of grapes in his right, all adorned in liberal remains of pigment. Dressed in a short tunic and pants, the petite child sits with his left knee propped up - on which the bird is perched - and his right leg bent before him. A vertically striated coiffure crowns his sizeable head. His huge, hypnotic eyes gaze forth from his youthful visage with a thinly lined brow, a broad nose, full cheeks, and fleshy lips, all flanked by a pair of sizeable ears. The objects he holds may be read as symbols of Early Christianity: the dove representing the Holy Spirit and the grapes for the Eucharist. Size: 7" L x 14.1" W x 22.8" H (17.8 cm x 35.8 cm x 57.9 cm); 29.1" H (73.9 cm) on included custom stand.

Prior to the 2nd century, Romans cremated their dead; around that time, inspired by the Greek and Etruscan practice of using sarcophagi, they began to place their dead in sarcophagi. This trend spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire. In the western part of the Empire, sarcophagi were placed inside a mausoleum against a wall or in a niche, so the only decorated panels were on the front and the short sides. This stele probably came from the grave of a high-status Roman citizen.

Cf. Egyptian Museum of Turin, S.18110 and Brooklyn Museum, 71.39.2.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#142461

Some losses to peripheries. Chipping, nicks, abrasions, and loss of detail, all commensurate with age as shown. Otherwise, excellent with liberal remains of pigment and nice remaining detail.