Dancers and Musicians from Phrygia

The distinctive garments worn by the figures on this relief may identify them as people from the ancient region of Phrygia, in present-day central Turkey. They wear baggy tunics with trousers tied at the ankles and peaked caps. Three figures hold their feet and hands in postures of dancing, while a musician plays a stringed instrument similar to a lyre, and a percussionist keeps time on the drum clutched between his legs. The figure at the far right holds up an unidentified object.<br><br>This panel has tenons above and below to fit into a structure using no mortar. The scale of this panel suggests that it was installed as a stair riser.