Collections | Exhibitions, Regional Surveys, Fine and Performing Arts | Syria: A Living History | Tomb Relief Palmyra, Syria, 123 Classical period Limestone, carved

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Exhibitions, Regional Surveys, Fine and Performing Arts

Syria: A Living History

Tomb Relief Palmyra, Syria, 123 Classical period Limestone, carved

Syria

Description

Caption

Tomb Relief Palmyra, Syria, 123 Classical period Limestone, carved

Date

2016

Associated collections

Syria: A Living History

Related Images/Videos

Map 2: "Syria: A Living History"

Copyright

On loan from the Royal Ontario Museum, 953X94.1

Tomb Relief with permission of the Royal Ontario Museum © ROM.

Source

Aga Khan Museum

Medium

digital photograph

Image dimensions

1280 x 720

Image resolution

96 PPI

Image size

167 KB

Description

Palmyra, located in an oasis in the middle of the Syrian desert, developed a truly syncretic architectural and artistic tradition that combined classical Hellenistic and Roman elements with Syrian, Mesopotamian, and Persian forms, techniques, and practices. Most notable is its unique funerary architecture: tomb-towers containing stratified rows of personal stone coffins running along its internal walls and fronted by carved reliefs of the deceased or of family scenes.

The relief is depicting the bust of Tiklak, daughter of ‘Aphshi, whose name and genealogy are incised on each side of her head in Palmyrene Aramaic. Dressed in a classical tunic pinned by a brooch with a cloak draped over her head and shoulders, Tiklak wears a half-smile and calmly looks straight ahead while holding her gown, with her right hand in a gesture common to Palmyra’s funerary reliefs.

On loan from the Royal Ontario Museum, 953X94.1

Image ID