Advanced Search 
Funerary stele of Dionysion, a singer
Roman, Eastern Mediterranean
Imperial Period
about 2nd century A.D.
Medium/Technique
Marble
Dimensions
Overall: 15.2 x 32.5 x 22.9 cm (6 x 12 13/16 x 9 in.)
Weight: 31.5 lb. (14.29 kg)
Weight: 31.5 lb. (14.29 kg)
Credit Line
Museum purchase with funds donated by The Laurel Society
Accession Number2010.39
CollectionsEurope, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsInscriptions
DescriptionGreek inscription in seven lines: "Here lies Dionysion, maker of melody, who in his lifetime was distinguished for his fine character. You who pass by, shed a tear for his youth and his golden voice, and call down reproaches on the unjust fates." A leafy spray below.
The stele has been re-carved from the top half of a fluted column capital.
The stele has been re-carved from the top half of a fluted column capital.
ProvenancePossibly from Saida (ancient Sidon), Lebanon or the surrounding area. 1923, Choukri Abela (d. 1923), Saida; by 1924, objects from the Abela collection acquired by officer Capdegelle, Saida [see note 1]. 1968, Folio Fine Art, Ltd., London [see note 2]; November 1968, sold by Folio Fine Art to Colin McFadyean, England. By 2009, Charles Ede, Ltd., London (stock no. 8059); 2010, sold by Charles Ede, Ltd., to the MFA. (Accession Date: February 24, 2010)
NOTES: [1] Published in Bernard Haussoullier and Harald Ingholt, "Inscriptions Grecques de Syrie," Syria 5, no. 4 (1924): pp. 336-337, no. 9. [2] Published in "The Art of the Scribe" (Folio Fine Art, Ltd., 1968, cat. no. 1008).
NOTES: [1] Published in Bernard Haussoullier and Harald Ingholt, "Inscriptions Grecques de Syrie," Syria 5, no. 4 (1924): pp. 336-337, no. 9. [2] Published in "The Art of the Scribe" (Folio Fine Art, Ltd., 1968, cat. no. 1008).