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LOT 0048A

Roman Marble Funerary Stele - Mother & Child in Archway

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Roman, Eastern Empire, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century CE. A magnificent marble funerary stele, hand-carved to display the relief image of a mother and child facing forward and standing in an archway. Draped in a long veil, the mother stands to the right with arms folded at her waist, holding the fabric of her palla as her stola lies beneath, cascading down her body in billowing folds. The child stands contrapposto to the left, wearing a short tunic, which suggests he is male, and bending his left arm at the elbow, while his right lays to his side holding a small object, perhaps a toy. A pointed hat caps his head. The archway under which they stand is supported by a pair of columns with rectangular capitals that flank the figures and a concentric circle motif, known as the evil eye, adorns either side of the arch. Size: 11" L x 3.5" W x 22" H (27.9 cm x 8.9 cm x 55.9 cm); 26" H (66 cm) on included custom stand.

The area below the figures bears an inscription in ancient Greek. While the top line likely states the name of the deceased and perhaps the name of who dedicated this stele or the name of the deceased's hometown, the bottom line reads "XAIPE," which translates to "farewell."

Imagery of the Evil Eye was first recorded by the Mesopotamians approximately 5,000 years ago in cuneiform on clay tablets. Some scholars believe that it may actually have originated as early as the Upper Paleolithic Age. Evil Eye iconography has been found in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim cultures as well as Buddhist and Hindu societies; however, each culture ascribes a similar meaning to it. The evil eye is believed to be a curse cast by a malevolent glare that is typically directed at a person who is unsuspecting and unaware. Many cultures believe that the evil eye can bring about misfortune, injury, or bad luck. For this reason, talismans and beads traditionally have been created to protect the wearer against the evil eye given their powerful apotropaic properties against the evil eye.

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.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection; ex-English collection, brought to London in the 1980s by the present owner

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.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#168165
Condition Report: This piece shows signs of weathering and abrasion commensurate with its age. The back has been sliced off making it much easier to display, lighter and more attractive.

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[ translate ]

Roman, Eastern Empire, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century CE. A magnificent marble funerary stele, hand-carved to display the relief image of a mother and child facing forward and standing in an archway. Draped in a long veil, the mother stands to the right with arms folded at her waist, holding the fabric of her palla as her stola lies beneath, cascading down her body in billowing folds. The child stands contrapposto to the left, wearing a short tunic, which suggests he is male, and bending his left arm at the elbow, while his right lays to his side holding a small object, perhaps a toy. A pointed hat caps his head. The archway under which they stand is supported by a pair of columns with rectangular capitals that flank the figures and a concentric circle motif, known as the evil eye, adorns either side of the arch. Size: 11" L x 3.5" W x 22" H (27.9 cm x 8.9 cm x 55.9 cm); 26" H (66 cm) on included custom stand.

The area below the figures bears an inscription in ancient Greek. While the top line likely states the name of the deceased and perhaps the name of who dedicated this stele or the name of the deceased's hometown, the bottom line reads "XAIPE," which translates to "farewell."

Imagery of the Evil Eye was first recorded by the Mesopotamians approximately 5,000 years ago in cuneiform on clay tablets. Some scholars believe that it may actually have originated as early as the Upper Paleolithic Age. Evil Eye iconography has been found in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim cultures as well as Buddhist and Hindu societies; however, each culture ascribes a similar meaning to it. The evil eye is believed to be a curse cast by a malevolent glare that is typically directed at a person who is unsuspecting and unaware. Many cultures believe that the evil eye can bring about misfortune, injury, or bad luck. For this reason, talismans and beads traditionally have been created to protect the wearer against the evil eye given their powerful apotropaic properties against the evil eye.

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.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection; ex-English collection, brought to London in the 1980s by the present owner

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.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#168165
Condition Report: This piece shows signs of weathering and abrasion commensurate with its age. The back has been sliced off making it much easier to display, lighter and more attractive.

[ translate ]
Sale price
Unlock
Estimate
Unlock
Time, Location
07 Oct 2021
USA, Louisville, CO
Auction House
Unlock