PALMYRIAN RELIEF OF A LADY
NEAR EAST, 1ST - 3RD CENTURY A.D.
£7,560
Auction: 31 May 2023 at 15:00 BST
Description
carved limestone, the female figure is shown adorned in a draped attire secured with a fine brooch on her left shoulder, the folds of the garment finely denoted, she is shown facing the viewer with a frontal view, the hair is partially concealed by a headscarf falling across the back, the large almond eyes are marked with incised circles to denote the iris and pupils, the lips slightly pursed, raised on a bespoke mount
Dimensions
50cm high
Provenance
Provenance:
Previously in the Private Collection of an artist (d.2002), Loiret, France, purchased in the 1950 or 60s locally, displayed in the garden where it was kept for decades.
Sold at: Une collection oubliée, et à quelques amateurs (2ème partie), Metayer, 6th February 2022, Lot 522 (accompanied by French cultural passport 234530).
ALR: S00224380, with IADAA Certificate, this item has been checked against the Interpol database.
Footnote
Note:
The present piece is a monument that reflects the cultural and economic prosperity of Palmyra, an ancient caravan city in the Near East, during the first three centuries following the birth of Christ. This type of relief, featuring a representation of the deceased accompanied by a brief identification inscription, was typically used to adorn and seal burial niches in highly decorated communal tombs. The half-length or bust format of such reliefs gained in popularity towards the second half of the first century A.D.