EXCEPTIONAL PALMYRIAN RELIEF OF A LADY. Near East, Ca. 1st - 3rd century AD. A limestone relief depicting a female figure in frontal view. The face has large almond-shaped eyes with incised circles marking the irises and pupils, slightly arched brows, and a small, pursed mouth. The nose is straight, and the cheeks are softly rounded. A headscarf partially conceals the hair, draping over the back and framing the face. The figure wears a draped garment secured at the left shoulder with a finely carved brooch, with deeply incised folds indicating the fabric’s flow. Raised on a bespoke mount. Size: 560mm x 400mm; Weight: 25+g Provenance: Private UK collection; Ex. Private Collection of an artist (d.2002), Loiret, France, purchased in the 1950s or 60s locally, displayed in the garden where it was kept for decades. Sold at: Une collection oubliée, et à quelques amateurs (2ème partie), Metayer, 6th February 2022, Lot 522 (accompanied by French cultural passport 234530). ALR: S00224380, with IADAA Certificate, this item has been checked against the Interpol database. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.