Marble anthropoid sarcophagus

Unknown

last quarter of the 5th century BCE · Parian marble · Greek and Roman Art

The lid of the sarcophagus shows an unarticulated, downward tapering body and the head of a woman framed by flowing hair; traces of red paint are still preserved in the hair. At the foot end of the box and on the lid appears the Phoenician letter "shin." According to recent investigations, the anthropoid sarcophagi of marble were quarried on the Greek island of Paros. They were prepared up to a certain point and finished at their destinations. The inscribed letters here strongly suggest that the sculptor was Phoenician, which would be entirely plausible at Amathus and Kition, two centers of Phoenician occupation on Cyprus. Such fine, expensive coffins inspired local copies in limestone and terracotta.

Artist

Unknown

Date

last quarter of the 5th century BCE

Medium

Parian marble

Culture

Graeco-Phoenician

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76