Byzantine Stone Relief Section with Draped Figure. 6th-8th century A.D. Fragment of a sculpture representing the draped bust of an Apostle, making a blessing gesture with his right hand, and holding a scroll in his left hand, part of the neck visible; mounted on a custom-made display stand. Cf. for similar iconography Burckhardt, J., Die Zeit Constantins des Grossen, Leipzig, 1898, pls.68, 69, 88, 90, 91, and especially 201, for similar images; Comstock, M.B. (ed.), Romans and Barbarians, Boston, 1976, p.206, no.246 (ivory plaque with Achilles on Skyros). 3.83 kg total, 25 cm including stand (9 7/8 in.). Mr F.D. collection, acquired on the European art market, 1975 to present. The image and gesture is visible on many early Christian sarcophagi of the Constantinian era, representing the deceased with his wife. The bas-relief in question could represent an apostle from a scene representing the twelve disciples with Jesus.