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Fragment of a Muse sarcophagus
Roman
about mid-3rd century A.D.
Medium/Technique
Marble from Mt. Pentelikon near Athens
Dimensions
22.5 x 15.5 cm (8 7/8 x 6 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Charles C. Perkins
Accession Number76.729
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsTomb equipment – Coffins and sarcophagi
Catalogue Raisonné
Sculpture in Stone (MFA), no. 253; Sculpture in Stone and Bronze (MFA), p. 113 (additional published references).
DescriptionThe fragment is broken or cut away on all outer edges. What remains is fresh enough, with a yellow patina.
There remain a section of drapery, a right forearm and hand, the latter placed on a mask of Herakles that appears to have been balanced on a little pedestal. The figure is Melpomene.
Scientific Analysis:
Harvard Lab No. HI250: Isotope ratios - delta13C +1.42 / delta18O -8.05, Attribution - Naxos, Pentelikon, Denizli 2.
Harvard Lab No. HI878: Isotope ratios - delta13C +2.08 / delta18O -8.58 and Isotope ratios - delta13C +3.00 / delta18O -8.90, Attribution - Pentelikon, Justification - White, fine grained marble.
('micaceous' area)Harvard Lab No. HI879: Isotope ratios - delta13C +1.79 / delta18O -9.62, Attribution - Pentelikon, Justification - White, fine grained marble.
(sample from top back)Harvard Lab No. HI880: Isotope ratios - delta13C +3.04 / delta18O -7.38, Attribution - Pentelikon, Justification - White, fine grained marble.
There remain a section of drapery, a right forearm and hand, the latter placed on a mask of Herakles that appears to have been balanced on a little pedestal. The figure is Melpomene.
Scientific Analysis:
Harvard Lab No. HI250: Isotope ratios - delta13C +1.42 / delta18O -8.05, Attribution - Naxos, Pentelikon, Denizli 2.
Harvard Lab No. HI878: Isotope ratios - delta13C +2.08 / delta18O -8.58 and Isotope ratios - delta13C +3.00 / delta18O -8.90, Attribution - Pentelikon, Justification - White, fine grained marble.
('micaceous' area)Harvard Lab No. HI879: Isotope ratios - delta13C +1.79 / delta18O -9.62, Attribution - Pentelikon, Justification - White, fine grained marble.
(sample from top back)Harvard Lab No. HI880: Isotope ratios - delta13C +3.04 / delta18O -7.38, Attribution - Pentelikon, Justification - White, fine grained marble.
ProvenanceBy date unknown: Charles C. Perkins Collection; gift of Charles C. Perkins to MFA, 1876