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Source Image: PR223_05_15 of Clipeus Sarcophagus (1) of Ostia: Miscellaneous Sarcophagi

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Description

Detail of the left 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
Nike/VictoryRelief 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 in the deep folds of the drapery of the flying figure.

3. Toolmarks

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

4. Toolmarks

Process
Fine shaping
Tool
Flat Chisel
Method
Angle: Shallow (40-50°)
Force: Medium
Description
Only a few areas of finer work can be noted: on the columnar shrine to the left and on a few sections of the flying figure - one of her toes, most notably, has been carved. 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.

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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