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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1975.41.45
Title
Fragment of Monument or Architecture Decorated in Relief
Classification
Sculpture
Work Type
sculpture
Date
8th Century
Period
Byzantine period, Early
Culture
Syrian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/181306

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Marble
Technique
Relief
Dimensions
23 x 29.5 x 13 cm (9 1/16 x 11 5/8 x 5 1/8 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Unknown, formerly in the Kevorkian Collection.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of The Hagop Kevorkian Foundation in memory of Hagop Kevorkian
Accession Year
1975
Object Number
1975.41.45
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description
Marble block with front decorated in relief and deeply drilled. Elaborate cross within an arch. Flowers sprout and curve up from the bottom of the cross, which stands atop a two-stepped base. The voussoirs of the arch spring from the blocky, tripartite capitals of double colonnettes. Inscriptions in either Syriac or Arabic occupy the otherwise undecorated space on either side of arch. Flanking these are four vertical grooves. Beside these grooves is a ridge with incised chevrons.

A deep hollow has been cut into the top face of the block and a hole has been drilled into the block's top edge on either side of the hollow. Such cuttings suggest that another piece, perhaps a stele, was meant to be inserted into or attached to this one.

In addition, the back side of the block is in two planes, which might indicate that the block was meant to be fitted against another block or into a wall.

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu