Roman, late Imperial Period, ca. 3rd to 5th century CE. A long fragment from a memorial stelae, sarcophagus / coffin, or tomb, depicting a reclining older man on a ledge that is probably meant to look like a couch or floor. Latin letters are incised into the upper left corner. Today they are fragmentary and almost impossible to read, but they were likely a description of the deceased, perhaps with a date or name included. The older man wears robes that have been carved with fine detail, and his position suggests that he is at a banquet; there is a round projection behind him likely intended to be a pillow that his arm rests upon while he leans. Size: 2.15" L x 13.5" W x 5.75" H (5.5 cm x 34.3 cm x 14.6 cm)

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. Based on the level of society that attended banquets, this panel probably came from the grave of an elite Roman citizen.

Provenance: private St. Louis, Missouri, USA collection; ex Atlanta, Georgia, USA collection, acquired before 1990

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#128940

Piece is a fragment, with losses as shown. Expected wear to the soft limestone surface, with nice remaining form and some detail remaining, especially on the robes. Some of the letters are still visible.