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Source Image: PR305_02_13 of Garland Sarcophagus (9) of Aphrodisias: Sarcophagi

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Description

Left end of a garland sarcophagus.

Monument
Aphrodisias: Sarcophagi 
Monument Part
Garland Sarcophagus (9) 
Monument Type
Sarcophagus 
Material(s)
Aphrodisian marble (Visual identification)  
Date
circa ad 120 - circa ad 250 
Keywords
ClampGarlandGarland Sarcophagus  
Collections
Aphrodisias, Site and Museum  

Location

Original Location
Aphrodisias 

Evidence for working practices

1. Toolmarks

Process
Rough shaping
Tool
Flat Chisel
Method
Angle: Shallow (40-50°)
Force: Medium
Description
The central medallion is only very roughly shaped with the flat chisel following roughing-out.

2. Toolmarks

Process
Flattening
Tool
Tooth Chisel
Method
Angle: Shallow (40-50°)
Force: Medium
Description
The background appears to have been smoothed with the tooth chisel before the key forms of the design - notably the medallion - were completely worked.

3. Toolmarks

Process
Fine shaping
Tool
Flat Chisel
Method
Angle: Shallow (40-50°)
Force: Gentle
Description
Finer carving with the flat chisel is visible on the garland, the hanging grapes, and the fabric swags beneath the garland.

4. Clamp socket

Process
Securing
Description
Clamp holes running between the lid and the chest show that these elements were fixed together, which presumably indicates that this sarcophagus was used for a burial.

Notes

This end of this sarcophagus is slightly more finished than the other end (see P305_02_11), though certain elements - like the central boss - remain relatively rough. The difference in finish between the rough boss which was clearly intended to be carved into a face and the garland might indicate a division of labour between specialist figure-carvers and decorative-carvers, with the former not having completed their section in this case - perhaps because the sarcophagus was needed urgently.

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