Dexiosis Stele Shown in Milan Exhibition
The Hellenistic relief showing King Antiochus with the sun god Helios is on display at Fondazione Prada before returning to Gaziantep.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Fine Art
The Dexiosis Stele, depicting King Antiochus shaking hands with the sun god Helios, went on public display at Fondazione Prada in Milan as part of an international exhibition of 150 works from 19 countries. The artifact, part of the Gaziantep Archaeology Museum's collection, was lent with permission from Türkiye's Culture and Tourism Ministry.
Why it matters
The loan places a Hellenistic-period artifact from Türkiye before an international audience in Italy. The stele is set to return to Gaziantep for continued display after the exhibition closes.
The exhibition features 150 works from 19 countries, and the stele stands 117.5 centimeters tall and 58 centimeters wide. The artifact has been part of the Gaziantep Archaeology Museum's collection since 1995, and its exhibition closing date was not specified.
The players
Fondazione Prada
Fondazione Prada is a private contemporary art foundation based in Milan, known for hosting large-scale exhibitions and cultural programs.
Gaziantep Archaeology Museum
The Gaziantep Archaeology Museum is a museum in southeastern Türkiye that holds a significant collection of ancient artifacts from the region.
Türkiye's Culture and Tourism Ministry
Türkiye's Culture and Tourism Ministry is the national government body responsible for overseeing the country's cultural heritage and authorizing the loan of artifacts abroad.
The details
The stele, made with the high-relief technique, dates to the Hellenistic Period and shows Antiochus clasping hands with Helios. Its presence in Milan was arranged through a loan approved by Türkiye's Culture and Tourism Ministry.
Timeline
1995: The Dexiosis Stele joins the Gaziantep Archaeology Museum collection.
November 7, 2026: The exhibition opens in Milan at Fondazione Prada.
After the exhibition ends: The stele returns to Gaziantep for continued display.
Historical Context
The stele's depiction of King Antiochus clasping hands with Helios follows the divine-kingship imagery of the Commagene kingdom, which used such scenes to legitimize royal authority. Its presence in a Milan exhibition extends that regional heritage to a broader international audience.
Visitors to Fondazione Prada in Milan can view the stele while the exhibition runs. Those unable to travel can find it after its return to the Gaziantep Archaeology Museum in Türkiye.
The takeaway
Loans of ancient artifacts allow regional heritage to reach global audiences while keeping objects tied to their home institutions. Readers interested in the piece can follow its return to Gaziantep.
Further reading
Explore more international gallery and museum coverage in our Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hurriyet Daily News.
