• r2-260-10
    Lid of sarcophagus of "Pamphylian" type, Izmir Archaeological Museum 833, three-quarter view. ()
  • r2-260-20
    Lid of sarcophagus of "Pamphylian" type, Izmir Archaeological Museum 833, end view. (©Archaeological Exploration of Sardis/President and Fellows of Harvard College)

Lid of Sarcophagus of "Pamphylian" Type

Date
Late 2nd C. AD, Roman
Museum
Izmir, Archaeological Museum, 833
Museum Inventory No.
833
Sardis or Museum Inv. No.
Izmir 833
Material
Marble, Stone
Object Type
Sculpture, Sarcophagus
Sculpture Type
Sarcophagus
Site
Sardis
Findspot
Exact findspot unknown, "from Sardis."
Description

There are very carefully trimmed rectangular bosses (H. 0.10; W. 0.14) at the centers of both ends of the sarcophagus and two on each side. The pediment has a plain epistyle, fine dentils, a Lesbian cyma, and plain band. A gutter decorated with double spirals is set back from the roof edge. In the center of the pediment is a circular object, definitely not a crown. It resembles a bowl with a very large round handle (diam. of bowl 0.105; H. of handle 0.045; diam. of handle 0.04). There is a small hole in the top of the "handle" for attachment. The simple, central acroterion consists of a pyramidal central stem and two "flaming" leaves (H. 0.10). The side acroteria have two similar leaves, one of which turns into a central leaf that grows out of a simplified acanthus chalice (H. 0.17). All acroteria are spherical at back.

The lion-head antefixes, six on each side, display an impressive, realistic type. They have flat noses, deep-set eyes, short ears lying back, and a full mane which frames the face. The mouths are open with the tongue sticking out. Large side fangs, upper and lower, and smaller teeth are preserved in some of the heads. They betray first-hand observation of lions. The workmanship is very fine, with plain parts chiseled with fine multiple tool, then very well smoothed. The piece is definitely an import to Sardis of the late 2nd C. A.D.

Condition

Very fine-grained white marble. Does not seem to be local Sardian marble.

Broken across top, pieces glued together in center of both sides. One side acroterion broken off, one damaged. Lion heads worn by weather, some lack details. Pediment of one side discolored as if from modem oil. Corner damaged.

Dimensions
W. at bottom of pediment 1.04; H. with acroterion 0.50, to top of pediment without acroterion 0.40; L. 2.21; W. of one half of roof slope 0.58. Lion heads: H. ca. 0.12; W. ca. 0.20.
Comments
Cf. Cat. 178, Cat. 179 (Figs. 326, 327).
See Also
Bibliography
Published: Rodenwaldt, Sarcophagi Xanthos, 201, fig. 13. Note: the lid is still placed on sarcophagus 835, to which it does not belong.
Author
NHR