Near East/Holy Land, Palmyra, Roman period, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A high relief funerary bust, hand-carved from limestone, depicting a cloaked figure with thick folds of fabric draping over the chest and arms. One hand is presented in high relief before his chest with a double strand beaded bracelet and holding a lovely feather. Size: 6.7" W x 6" H (17 cm x 15.2 cm); 8.2" H (20.8 cm) on included custom stand.
Palmyra was a wealthy city that linked the caravan routes from the Parthian Near East with the Roman Mediterranean; the people who lived there during this period largely enjoyed prosperity and were able to adopt eastern and western customs, clothing, and artistic styles, creating a distinctive visual culture unique to the city. We know of this culture today from the large funerary monuments that the Palmyrans built - tower-shaped vaults whose interiors were lined with sculpted limestone reliefs depicting the deceased.
Provenance: ex-Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities; ex Edgar L. Owen. Auction catalogue 32, April 17, 1997, lot # 355
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#155755
Condition
Piece is a fragment from a larger sculpture as shown, with the head lost (the lower body was never part of this sculpture; it ends below the arm). The neck is slightly rough. The figure has also been drilled into on its lower side to accommodate a stand. Small scratches, chips, and nicks commensurate with age. Great preservation of details and form.