Marble left hand holding a small box

Art Historical Context

This exquisite marble fragment, depicting a left hand delicately holding a small box, dates to the 1st or 2nd century during Rome's Imperial period. Carved from fine white marble, it measures just 3 3/8 x 7 7/8 inches (8.6 x 20 cm), suggesting it is part of a larger sculpture—perhaps a portrait statue, deity, or votive figure common in Roman art. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1923, it now resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Greek and Roman Art department, offering a tangible glimpse into the craftsmanship of ancient Rome. Roman sculptors favored marble for its durability and abi...