A FRAGMENTARY GREEK MARBLE GRAVE STELE INSCRIBED FOR HEDEIA, ATTIC, CIRCA 375-350 B.C. | A Fragmentary Greek Marble Grave Stele inscribed for Hedeia, Attic

carved in high relief within an architectural frame with the figure of a maiden raising her right hand to her shoulder, her head lowered pensively to her right, and wearing a chiton buttoned on the upper arm, belted peplos, and back-mantle fastened on both shoulders with circular brooches, her centrally parted hair falling in a long plait over the nape of the neck, the architrave engraved with a single line of Greek inscription reading ΗΔΕΙΑ; a fragment of the background to the left of her hand restored.

Edward Zoumpoulakis, Athens
Joseph Brummer (1883-1947), New York, inv. no. P801, acquired from the above in 1923 (http://libmma.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16028coll9/id/61805)
perhaps Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, Part III of the Notable Art Collection belonging to the Estate of the Late Joseph Brummer, June 8th-9th, 1949
Ella Baché Brummer (Galerie Koller, Zurich, The Ernest
Brummer Collection, Part II, October 16th-19th, 1979, no. 601, illus.)
Robin Symes, Ltd., London, acquired at the above sale
Belgian private collection, acquired from the above on October 31st, 1979
by descent to the current owners

Christoph W. Clairmont, Classical Attic Tombstones, vol. 1, Kilchberg, 1993, p. 308, no. 1.310, illus.
Johannes Bergemann, Demos und Thanatos, Munich, 1997, p. 173, no. 574
Linda Jones Roccos, "Back-Mantle and Peplos. The Special Costume of Greek Maidens in 4th-Century Funerary and Votive Reliefs," Hesperia, vol. 69, 2000, p. 255, no. 40
Hélène Bectarte, "Le costume de l’épouse dans l’art funéraire attique de l’époque classique," in Lydie Bodiou et al., eds., Chemin faisant. Mythes, cultes et société en Grèce ancienne. Mélanges en l’honneur de Pierre Brulé, Rennes, 2009, p. 237, fig. 1
Katia Margariti, The Death of the Maiden in Classical Athens, Oxford, 2017, p. 390, no. E39
Katia Margariti, "Lament and Death instead of Marriage. The Iconography of Deceased Maidens on Attic Grave Reliefs of the Classical Period," Hesperia, vol. 87, 2018, p. 134, no. 25

Comparison with Brummer photograph published in catalogue clearly shows how object was repaired from three fragments, with a triangular restoration directly to left of hand. Breaklines overpainted and with minor losses filled in. Note chip in wrist. Stable stress crack runs vertically over entire face and hair with minute losses on either side. Extensive remains of reddish incrustation over entire surface. Original chisel marks still visible on background. Object is now fitted with a horizontal metal plate in back for hanging on a wall. At some point bottom was drilled and hole fitted with a metal sleeve for mounting on rod attached to a base (rod and base now lost).
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Both costume and hairstyle are characteristic of maidens on Attic grave stelai (see Margariti, op. cit.). The right hand probably held an object which was originally painted.

For evidence of the use of the name Hedeia in Attica see M. Osborne and S. Byrne, eds., A Lexicon of Greek Personal Names, vol. 2, 1994, p. 202.