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Nereid and Male Figure
Byzantine, Coptic
Early Byzantine Period
4th-5th century A.D.
Place of Manufacture: Egypt, Alexandria
Medium/Technique
Bone
Dimensions
Height x width: 3.8 × 10.7 cm (1 1/2 × 4 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
John Michael Rodocanachi Fund
Accession Number57.697
CollectionsEurope, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsSculpture
DescriptionFragment of a bone plaque. A nude female figure swimming, probably a Nereid, is seen swimming. Only a portion of her torso and legs survives. A male figure emerges below her and appears to reach for her. Top and l. edge of bone preserved. This oblong plaque would have decorated a wooden box or piece of furniture. Many similar fragments survive from early Byzantine Egypt.
ProvenanceBy 1905: Joseph von Kopf Collection, Rome; by 1957: with Dr. Antonio Agostini, Rome; purchased by MFA from Dr. Antonio Agostini, November 14, 1957 for $ 300- (this figure is the total price for 57.691-699)