Marble anthropoid sarcophagus

Unknown

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

The sarcophagus consists of a hollowed lower box covered by a lid that slightly conveys the contours of the upper body and the legs. Earlier anthropoid sarcophagi represent the volumes of a body wrapped in a shroud. The only explicit human features here are the head of a woman, framed with curls, and the long locks disposed on her chest. This sarcophagus and the one nearby are among only four of this type found in Cyprus. It was introduced to the island by Phoenicians, who favored it between the fifth and third centuries B.C. in Phoenicia and the many regions that they colonized. Over two hundred are known today, most of them from Sidon.

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