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Stele of Hegeso, general view

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Stele of Hegeso, right half of inscription

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Stele of Hegeso, detail of figures' legs

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Stele of Hegeso

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Stele of Hegeso, detail of lap of Hegeso

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Stele of Hegeso, left half of inscription

Collection: Athens, National Archaeological Museum
Title: Grave Stele of Hegeso
Context: Probably from Athens, Kerameikos
Findspot: Found at Athens, Kerameikos
Summary: Hegeso seated with servant
Object Function: Funerary
Sculptor: Suggested attribution to Kallimachos
Material: Marble
Sculpture Type: Stele, relief-decorated
Category: Single monument
Style: High Classical
Technique: Low relief
Original or Copy: Original
Date: ca. 410 BC - ca. 400 BC
Dimensions: H. 1.58 m; W. 1.00 m
Scale: Under life-size
Region: Attica
Period: High Classical

Subject Description: A girl (servant) standing in a relaxed pose to the right, wearing slippers, a long, unbelted tunic, with long sleeves, and her hair bound in a sakkos, holds an opened box on the knees of a mature woman, seated profile to the left, on a klismos. Her sandalled feet rest on a footstool. Her himation, which is veiled over her head, and bunched in her lap, mostly covers her undergarment (chiton). She holds the box with one hand, and raises her right hand slightly, presumably holding a beloved jewel, at which she gazes.

Form & Style:

The scene takes place within a naiskos, comprised of two rectangular antae supporting a pedimental entablature, with three floral akroteria. The klismos slightly overlaps the anta on the right side.

On the basis of the diaphanous garments and the overall high quality of the stele, Karouzou (78) suggests that this may have been created by Kallimachos or a student.

Condition: Intact

Condition Description: Almost complete, but restored on the edges, where it is chipped (and the plinth has mostly broken off). Except for damage on the head of Hegeso, the figures are in good condition.

Inscription: On the architrave, beginning above the right edge of the head of the servant: *H*G*H*S*W *P*R*O*C*E*N*O, "Hegeso, daughter of Proxenos".

Inscription Bibliography: IG I.2 1079; Davies 1971, 477-79

Sources Used: Clairmont 1993, 2.95, cat. 2.150 (ill.) (with full bibliography); Stewart 1990, 172, fig. 477; Boardman 1985a, 184, fig. 151; Karouzou 1968, 77-78, pl. 32

Other Bibliography: Vierneisel-Schlörb 1988, 95 n. 28; Fuchs 1983, 490 ff., fig. 574; Schmaltz 1983, 7-23, passim., figs. 1-2; Karouzou 1981, 78, pls. 93a-b; Robertson 1975, 363, 366, pl. 121d; Frel 1969, no. 17, pl. 1; Adam 1966, 59; Braun 1966, 18 ff.; Thimme 1964; Dohrn 1957, 99 ff., pls. 6, 8a, 22b, no. 41; Süsserott 1938, 96; Diepolder 1931, 27, pl. 20; Gardner 1896, pl. 25; Conze 1893-1922, 68, pl. 30