Eastern Roman Sandstone Frieze Fragment with Banquet Scene
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D. The rectangular stele modelled in the half-round representing a banqueting scene with elaborate couch and reclining character; the couch with banded and padded platform, rounded cushion with bands of ornament; the figure depicting a young noble wearing a male Palmyrene costume with band of scrolled foliage ornament, hair dressed into braided tresses and wound round the brow; left arm supporting the body on the cushion, right hand placed before the chest holding the handle of a footed kylix; rectangular border; mounted on a custom-made stand; head restored. Cf. similar scene depicted on a funerary stele in the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, under accession no.2004.1.A.; cf. Gabucci, A. (ed.), Zenobia, il sogno di una regina d'oriente, Milano, 2002, no.83. 11.2 kg total, 46 cm including stand (18 in.).

Ex P.A., Hertfordshire, UK, specialist collection of Greek art, 1980-1990s.

The character shows a typical male in Palmyrene costume, with long sleeved tunic and large central band, decorated with interlaced vegetal embroidery. Its position is typical of the so-called 'banquet' reliefs. The belt is also decidedly masculine. The sculpture, originally headless, was probably reworked in the upper part, with the addition of a female head incompatible with the rest of the body.