Diocletian Stela Replica

<p>Plaque inspired by a sandstone stela showing the Roman emperor Diocletian as a pharaoh, offering to the bull-god Buchis. <br /><br /> This reproduction, hand cast and finished in resin, has been developed with the curator of the Egypt:Faith after the Pharoahs exhibition. <br /><br /> In southern Egypt, Roman emperors were often shown in the traditional roles and clothes of pharaohs. On this round-topped stela, Diocletian (emperor from AD 284-305) stands before an offering table, wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. He is burning incence and pouring a libation (liquid offering) before the traditional Egyptian mummified bull-god Buchis. The last recorded Buchis Bull burial took place in AD 340, under a Christian emperor. <br /><br /> The model is handmade and painted in the UK by Andrew Lilley exclusively for The British Museum. It includes a hook on the back for wall hanging, and comes in a presentation box, with a card detailing its provenance.</p>

Exclusive to the British Museum, a replica of the Diocletian Stela.

Handmade and painted in the UK, the resin replica has been developed with guidance from British Museum curators, and includes a hook on its reverse to enable wall hanging.

Created in 288, the Diocletian Stela is a sandstone slab featuring three distinct sections, two of which are recreated on this ornament. The top section shows the winged sun disc with uraei serpents and seated jackals. The second section features carvings representing the Roman emperor Diocletian making an offering to the mummy of the Buchis-bull. Although the object is of Roman provenance, the imagery shows the emperor Diocletian (ruled 284-305) in the traditional dress of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. The scene shows Diocletian standing before an offering table wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. He is burning incense and pouring a libation liquid offering to Buchis.

The original sculpture features a third section of hieroglyphic text, which includes a record of the birth and death of the sacred Buchis bull.

A fascinating and unique gift for the home.