A Naiskos-type Stele

Limestone
Greek, Asia Minor, 1st century AD
H: 75cm; W: 57cm

A Roman limestone naiskos-type stele with rosette in the gable, a basket filled with wool and a garland above it. An inscription in Greek reads (ΥΓΕΙΑ ΑΛΥΠΕ ΧΑΙΡΕ (HEGHIA ALZPE HAERE) These type of stele is comparatively rare, and highly gendered: intended women when decorated by a basket with wool, and for a man when decorated with an eagle. They are typical of the Zeugma area at the Euphrates river in ancient Seleukia.

Cf. Jörg Wagner, Seleukia am Euphrat/Zeugma, Wiesbaden, 1976.

Condition: Very good. Some surface wear and traces of lichen, indicating display outside in the modern period.

Provenance: Formerly at Schloss Solitude, Stuttgart, Germany, during 19th century.

Item reference: CL0339