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Sarcophagus of the Priestess of Isis in Carthage


Sarcophagus lid with representation of a winged lady (probably a priestess of Egyptian goddess Isis).
4th-3rd century BCE
197 x 68 x 76 cm
marble
Carthage, Rabs necropolis.
Carthage National Museum, Tunis.


The female figure on this sarcophagus lid holds an incense jar in one hand and a dove in the other. She is wearing a crown with a hawk, a veil and an elegant robe on which traces of black paint and gold have been found.

The lid displays a number of cultural influences. It is thought to have been made in Carthage by a Greek craftsman as the marble comes from Greece and the robe follows Greek fashion. However, representing the dead-on sarcophagus lids in this manner was more of an Etruscan custom and the crown is on the Egyptian style.


An illustration of a sarcophagus lid from Carthage depicting a priestess of Isis. (Carthage National Museum, Byrsa, Tunisia)

 By: Raafat Reda Ahmed.

Comments

  1. koolkat2December 30, 2018 at 7:25 PM

    What a beautiful find

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eternal CivilizationsDecember 31, 2018 at 4:12 AM

      I'm always loving watching this eternal piece at Carthage National Museum, just splendid!

      Delete

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