Funerary Stele of Artemidora from Terenouthis

Culture: Egyptian

Period: Roman Period, 2nd-3rd century A.D.

Material: Limestone

Dimensions: 22.4 cm x 21.6 cm (stele); 30.8 cm x 30.5 cm (frame)

Price: Sold

Ref: 1323

Provenance: Private collection Sid Port, California, 1980s. Thence in a private collection in New York. Last at the Artemis Gallery auction of 10 May 2018, lot 0063C.

Condition: Beautifully preserved fragment with rich color remains.

Description: Limestone funerary stele in form of a naiskos depicting two standing figures with raised arms in worshiping gesture. The figure on the right with hair parted in the centre is considered to be a woman, possibly the mother of the left, smaller person. Her name Artemidora is on the three-line inscription below. Both wearing long white vestments with a veil cascading over the right shoulder. The praying persons are standing in an aedicula with three stairs. The Greek inscription in black color is preserved on the steps. The still readable translation reads: ”…mon. Artemidora who is also called … Farewell! Year 4.” From the man’s name only the ending –mon is well readable. The year 4 possibly refers to the reigning years of a Roman emperor. The depiction with rich color remains, the background in brown, the skin of the praying ones in flesh-color, hair and eyes in black. The stele originates from the necropolis of Terenouthis in the eastern Nile Delta, half way between Naukratis and Memphis. With a modern frame for mounting on the wall. Accompanied by a translation and description by the Viennese epigraphist Katharina Michner MA.