6th-7th century
Africa
Object qualities
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Objecttomb decoration / urn: Stele
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Type of arts & crafts
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Techniquelow relief carving
(low relief carving) -
MediumLimestone; carved in relief and painted
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SizeH. 20 11/16 in. (52.5 cm) W. 14 9/16 in. (37 cm)
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Geography detailsMade in
Africa -
Country today
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Date6th-7th century
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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Funerary stelae from the Byzantine period in Egypt, carved in stone and usually painted, were permanent monuments to the deceased. While normally embedded in walls or floors near the tomb, some were part of larger structures. Their decorations include scenes of paradise and symbols of the Christian Church. This example, said to be from the Upper Nile Delta town of Armant, bears the name of a prominent citizen who was buried near the marker.