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Source Image: PR223_05_13 of Clipeus Sarcophagus (1) of Ostia: Miscellaneous Sarcophagi

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Description

Detail of the right end of a clipeus sarcophagus in the Castello at Ostia.

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

Location

Original Location
Ostia 

Evidence for working practices

1. Toolmarks

Process
Roughing-out
Tool
Point
Method
Angle: Vertical (90°)
Force: Medium
Description
Marks of the initial stage of roughing-out of the figures can be seen on the background which the carver never got around to working.

2. Toolmarks

Process
Rough shaping
Tool
Point
Method
Angle: Steep (60-70°)
Force: Medium
Description
Areas of rough shaping with the point chisel can be seen around the chest of the figure and between the torch and his head.

3. Toolmarks

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

4. Toolmarks

Process
Fine shaping
Tool
Flat Chisel
Method
Angle: Shallow (40-50°)
Force: Medium
Description
The column shrine on the left is more finely worked than the other details. The fact that fine shaping, rough shaping and roughing-out are all visible next to each other shows that the carver was working relatively flexibly, carving in from the front of the block, finishing details as they went.

5. Toolmarks

Process
Flattening
Tool
Flat Chisel
Method
Angle: Shallow (40-50°)
Force: Medium
Description
The upper surface of the chest is flattened with the flat chisel. When this stage of work was done is unclear.

Notes

The relief on this sarcophagus is unfinished suggesting that it was rushed into use or perhaps abandoned because the customer no longer needed it.

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