Funerary Stela with Boy Seated in a Niche
4th-5th century C.E.
Coptic
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
The most common image of the deceased in pagan burials was a figure of a boy standing or seated in a niche. The seated boy here holds a dove and a bunch of grapes. These objects may also have been held by the standing figure, but his hands and especially his head have been recut and repainted in modern times. That is why those features appear to be in perfect condition, in contrast to the partially preserved color on his red robe.
- Maker/Artist
- Coptic
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Formatted Medium
- Limestone, ancient and modern paint
- Locations
- Reportedly from: El Behnasa (Oxyrhynchus), Egypt
- Period
- Late Antique Period
- Dimensions
- 26 9/16 x 12 5/8 x 6 3/16 in. (67.5 x 32 x 15.7 cm)
- Accession Number
- 71.39.2
- Credit Line
- Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- This item is not on view
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