Description
| ITEM | Funerary stele depicting a boy with a bird and a ball |
| MATERIAL | Limestone |
| CULTURE | Romano-Egyptian, probably Oxyrhunchus |
| PERIOD | 4th – 5th Century A.D |
| DIMENSIONS | 350 mm x 255 mm x 75 mm |
| CONDITION | Good condition with remains of polychromy. Includes a certificate of search in the stolen works of art of Interpol database |
| PROVENANCE | Ex Dutch private collection, Maastricht, acquired between 1970 – 1980 |
This stele, typically made of stone or limestone, would have served as a commemorative or funerary object, a practice deeply rooted in Egyptian culture. The iconography of the boy, bird, and ball is rich with symbolic meaning, representing themes of youth, play, and innocence, as well as connections to both the daily life of the people and the afterlife. The depiction of children in art was relatively rare in ancient Egyptian iconography, but under Roman influence, such depictions became more common, reflecting a shift in the artistic focus towards individual representation and the everyday life of citizens.
The bird in the stele could symbolize a variety of concepts, such as freedom, transformation, or the soul’s journey to the afterlife, themes often present in Egyptian art. Birds were frequently used in ancient Egyptian iconography, representing both divine and earthly aspects of life. The ball, on the other hand, likely symbolizes playfulness and the joy of childhood, possibly representing the fleeting nature of youth and life itself. In the context of a funerary stele, the combination of these elements—boy, bird, and ball—could also carry deeper meanings associated with the hope for eternal life and renewal, offering comfort to the deceased’s family.
In addition to its symbolic content, the style of the stele is indicative of the cross-cultural exchange between Egypt and the Roman Empire. While the Egyptian artistic tradition favored stylized, symbolic imagery, the Roman influence brought in a more naturalistic approach, focusing on individualism and the representation of real-life subjects. This blending is evident in the lifelike depiction of the boy, his posture, and the detailed rendering of the bird and ball. The stele thus serves as a reflection of the Romanization of Egyptian culture while retaining essential elements of Egyptian religious and funerary practices. Today, such stelae are valuable artifacts that offer insights into the daily life, belief systems, and artistic evolution of Romano-Egyptian society.
