Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A fragment from a pale limestone frieze, probably from a sarcophagus, depicting a young woman with a long headdress that flows outward behind her. She is leaning forward, her head turned to the side, her body facing outward towards the viewer, as if running while looking behind her. The details that remain of her clothing give an idea of how beautiful this piece was when first made. Size: 4.55" W x 3.3" H (11.6 cm x 8.4 cm); 5.75" H (14.6 cm) on included custom stand.

In the 2nd century CE, sarcophagi became common in Rome, representing a shift from cremation to inhumation. These coffins could be made of wood, lead, or stone. Most of these were low, rectangular shapes with flat lids, made to be placed on a wall or niche inside a mausoleum, so sides left visible would be highly decorated. Mythological, battle, and hunting scenes were popular - this one is probably an example of the first. Individuals or their families commissioned specific subjects in order to commemorate the dead, and artisans would have worked closely with them to realize their designs. What importance might a scene like this one have had to the deceased?

Provenance: private New York, USA collection; ex Simone de Monbrison collection, Paris, France

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#127145

Piece is a fragment as shown. What remains has nice details, with the woman's torso nicely intact. Part of her face is lost, as shown.