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Source Image: PR223_01_11 of Strigil Sarcophagus (1) of Ostia: Miscellaneous Sarcophagi

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Description

Detail of the right panel of a strigil sarcophagus from Ostia.

Monument
Ostia: Miscellaneous Sarcophagi 
Monument Part
Strigil Sarcophagus (1) 
Monument Type
Sarcophagus 
Material(s)
Marble (Visual identification)  
Date
ad 200 - ad 350 
Keywords
FigureStrigil Sarcophagus  
Collections
Ostia Antica  

Location

Original Location
Ostia 

Evidence for working practices

1. Toolmarks

Process
Flattening
Tool
Flat Chisel
Method
Angle: Shallow (40-50°)
Force: Gentle
Description
The flat border around the figured panel was carved with a flat chisel. This was done before work on the figured panel was started as is clear from those areas were the figured scene cuts into it.

2. Toolmarks

Process
Rough shaping
Tool
Point
Method
Angle: Vertical (90°)
Force: Medium
Description
The basic forms of the figure in this panel were initially shaped with the point chisel, marks of which are visible around the figure where the background has not been carved any further.

3. Toolmarks

Process
Rough shaping
Tool
Flat Chisel
Method
Angle: Steep (60-70°)
Force: Medium
Description
The figure itself is modelled roughly with the flat chisel.

4. Toolmarks

Process
Fine shaping
Tool
Flat Chisel
Method
Angle: Shallow (40-50°)
Force: Gentle
Description
Finer flat chiselling is visible on the right side of the face of this figure. The left side, however, has been left at an earlier stage of working. The carver was clearly working from the front of the block into the stone, carving both the general forms and their details as they went, switching between point and flat chisel. They did not, in other words, rough out the whole design all over before starting on the details. The background was saved till the end and in this example never done. This is typical of Roman carving, especially on sarcophagi.

Notes

The strigils on this example are finished while the figured panels are only roughly worked. This would seem to indicate that these two elements of the design were divided up, possibly between workers or even between locations. Sarcophagi with their strigils already applied have been found in the quarries.

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