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Source Image: PR320_01_14 of Marks and Garland Frieze (Izmir) of Aphrodisias: South Agora

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Description

Detail of a block of the masks and garlands frieze from the South Agora at Aphrodisias, now in Izmir.

Monument
Aphrodisias: South Agora 
Monument Part
Marks and Garland Frieze (Izmir) 
Monument Type
Architecture 
Material(s)
Aphrodisian marble (Visual identification)  
Date
bc None 
Keywords
MaskGarlandEntablature  
Collections
Aphrodisias, Site and Museum  

Location

Original Location
Izmir Archaeological Museum 

Evidence for working practices

1. Toolmarks

Process
Rough shaping
Tool
Roundel
Method
Angle: Steep (60-70°)
Force: Medium
Description
Rough flat chiselling is visible on the garland. Especially rough carving is visible to the right of the mask. This work seems to have been undertaken before work on the mask began and this rough patch left to for the carver of the mask to finish.

2. - Toolmarks

Process
Rough shaping
Tool
Roundel
Method
Angle: Steep (60-70°)
Force: Gentle
Description
The lower portion of the mask is worked with the round-headed chisel.

2. - Toolmarks

Process
Flattening
Tool
Tooth Chisel
Method
Angle: Shallow (40-50°)
Force: Medium
Description
The background is flattened with the tooth chisel.

3. Toolmarks

Process
Fine shaping
Tool
Flat Chisel
Method
Angle: Shallow (40-50°)
Force: Gentle
Description
The upper portion of the mask, especially the forehead is finely worked with the flat chisel.

4. Toolmarks

Process
Detailing
Tool
Drill
Method
Vertical (90°)
Description
Drilling is visible in the corner of the eyes and mouth on the marks and in several places in the garland and the wreath above the mask. It is possible that this work was done on the garland before any work started on the mask, but this is impossible to prove.

5. Toolmarks

Process
Detailing
Tool
Channelling Tool
Method
Angle: Shallow (40-50°)
Force: Gentle
Description
Channelling following drilling is visible in the garland and the wreath above the mask. It is possible that this work was done on the garland before any work started on the mask, but this is impossible to prove.

Notes

On many of the blocks of this mask and garland frieze, which are now split between Aphrodisias and the Archaeological Museum in Izmir, a difference in finish between the masks and garlands can be noted which might suggest a division of labour between specialist garland and figure carvers. There is also a marked difference in technique and quality between blocks, suggesting that a range of carvers were involved in this major municipal project.

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