The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 13, 2025

Grave Stele (Relief)

c. 50 BCE

Southern Anatolia, Pamphylia, Hellenistic Greek

marble
Overall: 73.6 x 42.5 cm (29 x 16 3/4 in.)
Gift of James E. and Elizabeth J. Ferrell 2005.52
Location: 010 Focus Gallery

Did You Know?

The seated woman is depicted larger to visually emphasize her importance; her servant is in the background.

Description

The multiple figures, inscription, use of perspective, and architectural frame distinguish this ambitious relief as one of the most important of its type. The Greek inscription on the base reads, “To Sbardia, also named Tate, Eumelos, son of Aphrodisios, her father, [set this up].” The deceased is shown seated on an elaborate chair. A servant girl holding a fan suggests Sbardia’s high social standing. At the bottom right corner, a hen perches on an upturned basket, a symbol of “the good life.” The stele incorporates a “springing” gable supported by engaged half columns with simplified Corinthian capitals. Other features relate to beliefs about mortality and the afterlife. Above and to the left of her chair is her winged psyche (soul) shown leaving her body. Figures of the three fates are shown in the pediment above, reminding us that human life is finite.
  • In 1986
    Private Collection, Germany
    May 23, 1991
    (Sale: Sotheby's London, May 23, 1991, no. 250)
    November 14, 1996
    (Sale: Harlan Berk, Chicago, IL, November 14, 1996, no. 661)
    December 18, 1997
    (Sale: Christie's New York, NY, December 18, 1997, no. 173)
    -2005
    James E. and Elizabeth J. Ferrell, gifted to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2005-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Christie's. Antiquities. December 18, 1997. Christie's: New York, 1997. Lot 173.
    Rudolf, Käne. Antike Kunstwerke aus der Sammlung Ludwig 3. Mainz/Rhein: Verlag Philipp von Zabern (1990). pp. 293-99
    Sotheby's. Antiquities: The Property of the Thétis Foundation and Other Owners. May 23, 1991. Sotheby's: London, 1991. Lot 250. no. 250
    Cremer, Marielouise. Hellenistisch-römische Grabstelen im nordwestlichen Kleinasien, 2. Bithynien. Bonn: R. Habelt, 1991. p. 9, pl. 2
    Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. 93rd Buy or Bid Sale. November 14, 1996. Harlan J. Berk, Ltd.: Chicago, 1996. Lot 661. no. 661 nnp.wustl.edu
    Noelle, Alexander J., and Cleveland Museum of Art. Filippino Lippi and Rome. Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2025. Reproduced: p. 113, no. 11
  • Filippino Lippi and Rome. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 26, 2025-February 22, 2026).
  • {{cite web|title=Grave Stele (Relief)|url=false|author=|year=c. 50 BCE|access-date=13 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2005.52