sarcophagus
- Museum number
- 1973,0327.44
- Description
-
Fragment of the top of a sarcophagus, probably of Proconnesian marble: bucranium with fillet supporting a garland of grapes and fruit. A knot over the bull's head rests on vine leaves which protect bunches of grapes. Below are pomegranates and ears of wheat.
- Production date
- 2ndC(late)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 31.25 centimetres
-
Length: 40.50 centimetres
-
Thickness: 4 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- Walker, Susan, 1990, Catalogue of Roman Sarcophagi in the British Museum:
Smith, III, 340 no. 2344.
Isotopic analysis of marble from this fragment produced a result just outside the Proconnesian signature and within that of Iasos. However, Proconnesian is preferred here on grounds of the presence of an undecorated upper moulding, a feature not found in Carian garland sarcophagi.
The garland has a shallow profile similar to that of published Proconnesian sarcophagi in Istanbul and Canakkale.(1) The carving is probably of the later second century.
1. N. Asgari, A A 1977, 350 no. 43 and 351 no. 46. On the latter sarcophagus, the bucrania are set lower on the chest.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Broken all around. The upper moulding and the upper right side are restored.
- Acquisition notes
- Previously unregistered, but register notes that it was acquired before 1904.
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1973,0327.44
