sepulchral bust portrait of a woman

sepulchral bust portrait of a woman , 100s CE, Roman Empire (27 BCE–476 CE)

Where object was made: Palmyra (present-day Syria)

Material/technique: limestone

Dimensions:
Object Height/Width (Height x Width): 49.5 x 39.5 cm
Object Height/Width (Height x Width): 19 1/2 x 15 9/16 in

Credit line: Museum purchase

Accession number: 1951.0100

Not on display

Add to portfolio

If you wish to reproduce this image, please submit an image request

Images

Label texts

During Roman rule (circa 60 BCE - 273 AD), the Syrian oasis city of Palmyra profited from its position along caravan trade routes between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean. Indicative of Palmyra’s affluence and commercial activity, this fashionable, bejewelled figural bust represents the luxury and cosmopolitanism of this period. Her pendant earrings (one still visible in her right ear), pearl or stone necklace, and the circular brooch or fibula that fastens her outer cloak all derive from Greco-Roman influences, as do her stylized curls brushed back into a knotted bun. This female figure probably marked the tomb of a known personnage. Yet, most likely does not portray a physical resemblance, but rather a symbolic representation of the deceased.

Exhibition Label:
"Corpus," Apr-2012, Kris Ercums
During Roman rule (circa 60 BCE - 273 AD), the Syrian oasis city of Palmyra profited from its position along caravan trade routes between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean. Indicative of Palmyra’s affluence and commercial activity, this fashionable, bejewelled figural bust represents the luxury and cosmopolitanism of this period. Her pendant earrings (one still visible in her right ear), pearl or stone necklace, and the circular brooch or fibula that fastens her outer cloak all derive from Greco-Roman influences, as do her stylized curls brushed back into a knotted bun. This female figure probably marked the tomb of a known personnage. Yet, most likely does not portray a physical resemblance, but rather a symbolic representation of the deceased.