Mortuary Statue

Unknown artist

150-250 CE

Limestone; High Relief

Penn Museum

A limestone high relief carving depicts a figure holding a shallow bowl. The figure has curly hair and wears a draped garment with decorative circular patterns on the chest and waist. CBS Register: Fragment of slab in limestone, mortuary stone. In high relief, young man (bust) with lamb on a tray, Palmyrene inscription to the right and left of his head. Romano: "Good condition. Broken off a round entire perimeter. Vertical crack down left side of face and continuing below chin." Pigment remains on part of eyes, and his tunic has a series of holes drilled which likely contained stones to showcase his decorated costume. His hair is of typical "Parthian" curls. B8903 Babylonian Expedition to Nippur II, 1890