Attic Marble Relief of Nikostrate

Culture: Greek

Period: 4th century B.C.

Material: Marble

Dimensions: 32.8 cm x 25 cm

Price: Sold

Ref: 2376

Provenance: From an old French private collection, acquired in the 1960s. In November 2018 auctioned in a French auction house. Last in the English art market. Accompanied by a French antiquities passport.

Condition: Unrestored

Description: Very finely worked out marble stele with the relief of a girl. She wears a peplos with short sleeves and stands facing to the right with her weight on her right leg, the left one slightly bent and put forward. The girl in mourning gesture with her head slightly lowered, her hair held back with a hair band. She holds a bird, possibly her pet, in her hand, to bid farewell. Above the relief is a Greek inscription in two lines engraved in the marble. The translation reads: “Nikostrate, daughter of Herys.” Since the name Herys is only attested by officials in Delphi the stele possibly originates from that region. An emotional depiction with a high level of artistic skill. With translation and description by the Viennese epigraphist Katharina Michner BA MA. Mounted.