Ancient Roman Empire, ca. 2nd to 3rd centuries CE. A depiction of a Roman goddess, perhaps Tellus, from a sarcophagus carved from striated, grey marble. Her sensitively modeled naturalistic features and flowing locks display the Roman taste for Greek and Hellenistic sculpture. However, the Romans were known for appreciating realism even more, a fact that is so evident in the lifelike quality of this subject's eyes and brows. The sculptor of this piece truly understood how to turn marble to flesh! Sarcophagi became more common at the beginning of the 2nd century CE when burial grew more favorable than cremation. Carved from stone, in this case marble, the panels were adorned with high and low relief mythological scenes, and by the 2nd century, it was also common to include a portrait of the deceased in a heroic guise. A rare and beauteous piece from ancient Rome! Custome stand. Size: 6.75" W x 6.75" H (17.1 cm x 17.1 cm); 10-1/4" high (26 cm) on stand

Provenance: Ex-private L. Nathan, acquired from a Belgian antiquities dealer on the European Art Market

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#111156

Clearly a fragment, but oh what a fragment! Expected surface wear with earthen remains scattered across the surface.