Roman Sculpture: Coptic Tombstone

Inv. No.: 91.040
Provenance: Egypt
Date: 4th/5th century AD
Height: 660mm
Width: 334mm
Depth: 111 mm (maximum)
 
An upright rectangular limestone tombstone with the full-length frontal figure of a standing youth carved in sunken relief, i.e., the figure is set in a niche surrounded by a limestone frame, approximately 40 mm wide. The tombstone has a brown, yellow and white mottled appearance. Some remains of paint are evident, especially black on the left eyebrow and upper eyelid of the figure, but the piece has deteriorated badly in part due to weathering and the presence of two iron supporting rods inserted into the back of the slab. There has also been an unsuccessful attempt at restoration, including the addition of plaster at some stage. In general, the piece has much surface abrasion and/or crumbling (in part due to the inappropriate restoration efforts) with the nose and other facial features especially affected while the frame is extensively damaged on the upper left-hand corner and the bottom edge, including the feet.

Function:
A memorial tombstone from a Christian burial in Egypt during the late Empire period.

Manufacture:
The initial limestone slab was probably sawn from a larger block of limestone and then carved using hammer and chisels. The niche was created by extensive carving into the surface of the limestone slab to a maximum depth of c. 68 mm while the figure was carved less deeply leaving it standing in relief against the flat background and framed by the surrounding high stone ledge. After smoothing with rasps or abrasives, the surface was painted.

Decoration:
The head is in highest relief while the body is low relief. All features are simplified: the face is squarish with round cheeks, large almond-shaped eyes with heavy lids, defined eyebrows, straight nose, a small, pursed mouth and a thick neck. The gaze is straight ahead. A cap-like head-dress with a band decorated with vertical grooves around its edge is worn above the low forehead. Traces of black remain on the head-dress. On each side of the head, below the head-dress, a simplified volute ear protrudes. There is very little detail on the body: the young man wears a long-sleeved, belted tunic and stands solidly with legs apart. His right hand is placed across his waist with his thumb uppermost and his fingers flat while his left arm hangs by his side. He holds an ankh cross, symbol of immortality, in his left hand and wears a bracelet on his right arm.

Bibliography:
Bourguet, P. du, Coptic Art, London, Methuen, 1971.

Kamel, I., Coptic Funerary Stelae of the Coptic Museum, Lrganisation Égyptienne Générale du Livre, 1987.

Comparanda:
Kamel, I., Coptic Funerary Stelae of the Coptic Museum, Lrganisation Égyptienne Générale du Livre, 1987, Pl. LII, 114 (similar figure and stance), Pl. LXXXIX, 189 (stance), Pl. CXVIII, 249 (similar head and head-dress or "takieh").

Koch, G (and K. Wight), Roman Funerary Sculpture: Catalogue of the Collections, Malibu, California, The J. Paul Getty Museum, 1988, No. 42 (grave relief for a girl).