Beschreibung:

A ROMAN MARBLE SARCOPHAGUS FOR SEMNE
CIRCA LATE 3RD-EARLY 4TH CENTURY A.D.
A ROMAN MARBLE SARCOPHAGUS FOR SEMNE CIRCA LATE 3RD-EARLY 4TH CENTURY A.D. Preserving the front panel and parts of each side, the front centered by a garland framing a draped bust of Semne supported by two large Cupids, Semne depicted frontally, her hair center parted, wearing a stola and a palla, holding the hem in her right hand, the garland formed from apples, pinecones and poppies, a large blossom above, the Cupids depicted nude, their wings raised and their heads turned out, an overturned fruit-filled urn, a snarling panther and a bow and quiver below each Cupid, a tree stump to the left supporting a bow and another to the right supporting a quiver, a winged Cupid at each corner, nude but for a diagonally-draped mantle, each holding a garland, a griffin on each side panel, an inscription in Greek epigram on the borders, but likely beginning on the now-missing lid, reading, [With my death I have left behind for my beloved parents], along the top, "as a compensation for their mourning and tears, my brother Semnos and the longed-for double offspring of my body. You want to know my name and that of my sweet parents," and along the bottom, "As daughter of [?] and of Trophimos, I, Semne, was born, just and honorable. Now my body denies me its service, but my mouth still knows how to speak as it did during my life" 81½ in. (207 cm.) long