Fragment of relief depicting a libation scene (inv. no. 010326 113)

Description: This fragment of relief depicts a libation scene: a (heroic?) figure wearing a cloak draped over his left shoulder and forming a large fold around his left arm pours the liquid from a patera onto a votive altar. Headless, he likely wore a capite velato, according to Roman ritual practices.

Typology: Relief
Definition: Fragment of relief depicting a libation scene (inv. no. 010326 113)
Collection: Tunis, Bardo National Museum.
Inventory number: 010326 113
Provenance: The original provenance of the statue is unknown
Date: 2nd c. CE?
Material: White marble
Dimensions: Height: 165 cm

Analytical methods: VIS; VIL; UV; MO VIS; MO UV
Autoptic examination: Yellow, red, and orange traces, visible to the naked eye, are preserved mainly on the lower part of the relief and on the altar's crowning element.
Imaging: An examination under a video microscope documents the distribution of colours in areas where they are not visible to the naked eye: the background retains blue areas, as attested in the majority of reliefs from the classical period; the colour of the flesh (bust and right leg) is rendered through a mixture of white, orange and black grains, highlighted in yellow or brown in the transverse sternal, pectoral and abdominal lines; the mantle is dark red (purple); pulvilli, Attic band and moldings of the base are tinted in red, while the body in yellow with details (of a decoration?) in red; the patera retains yellow and a bright orange rim.

Pigments: Yellow, red, orange, dark red, mixture of white, orange, black
Binder: n.d.
Stratigraphy: Preparation layer of calcium sulfate
Shading: no
Metallic traces: no
Tools marks: no
Background colour: blue
Apparent marble parts: no
Restorations: no
Polychromy technique: The flesh colour (bust and right leg) is rendered through a mixture of white, orange and black grains, highlighted in yellow or brown in the transverse sternal, pectoral and abdominal lines.